Good day.
Living the Word of God is easier said than done. Living a religious life is much easier, which is why many follow it. One simply does your religious duty and for the rest one does as you please. It reminds me so much of the wide and the narrow gate in Matthew 7:13, 14: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
One often thinks that this passage refers to the ungodly following the easy road through the wide gate and Christians following the hard road through the narrow gate. As I prayed about this teaching, I thought about some Christians’ lifestyle and the idea among some Christians that because we are forgiven and because Jesus loves and cares for us, life is a ball. I listen to many teachings on the radio and television and in churches and that’s what I hear – “no worries Christians, God loves you, so just have a good time worshiping Him.” Maybe the above passage is actually a warning that Jesus aimed at the Christians.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming (Colossians 3:1-6).”
The narrow way is hard because one’s life is limited to what God expects of you. We cannot do what we like anymore. We tend to do what we want to do and ask the Lord’s blessing on it, don’t we? Christianity seems to revolve around going to church on Sunday and doing some Christian duties during the week. But we need to keep our minds constantly on those things that God desires. Everything has to do with glorifying Him, whether it’s ministry or just life. If I e.g. think of how lovely my wife is, I’m thinking of things above because God put us together. The narrow gate in this case means I can only appreciate her and none of the other women that try and get my attention.
When a business man closes a business deal and considers God’s honour in his conduct, he’s thinking of things above and not of earthly things, especially if a fair share of the profits ends up in the Kingdom. Because he limits himself to God’s values, he follows the hard and narrow road. It would have been easier to do things the way he wanted to and do it the way the ungodly would have done it.
Why do we need to think of things above? Do you ever spend time thinking of your job or hobby? The ‘things of above’ is our job and the Lord desires to guide us in His ways.
Dear Lord, help me to be more aware of you.
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