The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 25 February 2021 – The Narrow Gate
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TOPIC: The Narrow Gate (Anglican Devotional 25 February 2021)
READ: Matthew 7:12-14 (NKJV)
- “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
- “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide [is] the gate and broad [is] the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
- “Because narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is] the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
THE MESSAGE:
In life, good things are often difficult to get. Gold, silver, and other precious metals are mined deep down from the earth and must pass through fire to be refined for use. Jesus encouraged us to “enter by the narrow gate, … because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way, which leads unto life, and there are few which find it.” A narrow gate is harder to pass through than one that is wide; only few people can go through it at once. Why did Jesus say the gate to life is narrow?’ The decision to follow Christ has already narrowed a broad way. That decision includes giving your heart to Christ and making difficult choices and doing difficult things. Therefore, getting into the path is just the first step.
Just as one’s ability to succeed has very little to do with what happens to one in life, but rather on how one responds to the things that happen, so Jesus describes the pathway to life as one that requires effort and focus to enter. We have to lay aside certain things (Hebrews 12:1-2). Though we are living in the world, we are not part of the world (John 17:11, 16). Jesus said that in the world, one shall have tribulations but He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Only those who endure to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:13). Endure.
PRAYER: Oh Lord, make me an overcomer in this world in Jesus’ Name. Amen.