Ladies Bible Study - 9/22/11

When I read something, my mind creates an image of what I'm reading.  In Matthew 7, Jesus talks about the "narrow" way and the "wide" way.  Few are on the narrow way; many are on the wide way.  In my mind, I have always pictured a narrow dirt path, winding through a field as the "narrow" way.  On that path are just a few people, some side by side, some alone, walking in a long line.  The "wide" way, in my mind, has looked more like a 5-lane highway that has been closed off to traffic, and instead is a throng of people, shoulder-to-shoulder, all surging forward, but without any idea where they are going.  Like the teaming masses gather in Times Square for New Year's Eve, but moving instead of standing.

Last night's bible study changed my picture of the "narrow" way.

The narrow way leads to heaven; the wide way to destruction, or hell.  Few will find their way to heaven, choosing instead to take a more "popular" route; an easy route; a wide and comfortable route.  The way to heaven is narrow because the only way is through Jesus.  In fact, the "strait gate", as scripture calls it, is only wide enough for ONE person at a time.  Why?  Because when we realize our own sinfulness and God's holiness; when we realize Jesus died for our sins; when we humbly bow before Him - we do it alone.  We cannot gain salvation riding piggy-back on someone else's salvation; we cannot carry with us our baggage and our excuses and our rationalizations; we cannot bring our friends or loved ones - we come alone and we come in humility.  The narrow gate is only big enough for one - nothing and no one else fits through the gate with us.

In fact, my mental image of the narrow way now has the gate built into the base of the cross.  

I am on the narrow way.  I gave my life to Jesus on March 1, 1981.  He died for me, taking on a punishment that was meant for me.  I have opened my life to him - it is His to do with as He pleases.  An easy exchange to make for the reward of being allowed to spend all eternity with Him in heaven.  In fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize what a win-win situation it is.  There is no "down" side for me...Jesus took the punishment for MY sin; I didn't have to suffer that.  All I have to do is let Him control my life - a God who is loving and merciful and righteous and just and holy and who plans only for my "good" - and then I get to spend eternity in heaven with Him.  Why would I not want to live for Him??  Do I really think I am better suited to control my own life?  Me, a sinful, prideful, woman, who cannot see the future nor know the hearts and thoughts of others?  Me, whose vision is limited and imperfect and flawed by my own misconceptions?  I think God knows best, and I trust him.

Are you on the narrow way?  Or are you searching?  Find the cross.  The gate to the narrow way is there...