Today’s Reading: Matthew 7:14 (HCSB)
How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.
Today’s Question: Would you ever tell someone that it is easy to live as a Christian?
Today’s Commentary:
Few people have ever described me as being “normal.” In college, if I was known for anything, people remembered times of radical behavior, stupidity, or “Hey ya’ll, watch this!” moments. I was a new Christian and lacked the wisdom to harness the intense zeal I possessed.
Yes, some of my hallmates remember the night I tried to take on the college football team for continually using God’s name as a curse word. Others laugh about my covert operations in the fraternity houses when the residents of these wretched smelling dwellings were elsewhere in togos and staying well hydrated. I left Gospel tracks with my phone number printed on the back. A few took the time to call me and share their opinion with creative configurations of four letter words. Ah, the good ol’ days.
Over the last twenty years (with some lament), I have mellowed. I still get excited about the work of God and I still rejoice when I witness the miracle of life-change in others. I can still raise an eyebrow from others, like when I tell people we are adopting two girls from Ethiopia (to add to our three rambunctious boys). When Angela and I are forced to give an explanation of educational, financial, or scheduling decisions, people will occasionally look at us as though we each have three heads. But these trends are not the radically different aspects of our lives. There are people out there who choose not to follow Christ but still adopt kids, homeschool, have Dave Ramsey as a mentor, or choose not to fill every night of the week by watching elementary-aged kids play organized sports. Many decades ago, we embraced the fact that we are not normal.
Following Christ is not normal. Normal is the wide road that Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount. The wide road has an enormous span to accommodate the billions of people who choose this route. It is a well-paved superhighway with all the luxuries that one could want. The wide road is filled with personal promises, temporal hopes, and dreams of a great life now, perfect peace, and prosperity. It is all a person could want and more in this life. There is two problems with this wondrous construction: 1) it is built on satan’s lies, and 2) it leads directly to hell. Normal is easy, for this is our default mode.
I must admit to you a “pet peeve.” I am leery of any Gospel presentation that begins with “All you have to do is…[pray this prayer, walk this aisle, etc]” unless this sentence is finished with “die to self.” New Testament scholar Simon Kistemaker writes, “In order to enter by the narrow gate one must strip himself of many things, such as a consuming desire for earthly goods, the unforgiving spirit, selfishness, and especially self-righteousness. The narrow gate is therefore the gate of self-denial and obedience.” We are not saved by works, but there is a heart attitude that accompanies a genuine decision to trust in Christ.
One last point: The road that leads to Heaven is not easy. Jesus said we must “count the cost” (Luke 14:25-35). He said His followers would be persecuted (see John 15:18-25). The Christian who seeks to live comfortably in this life has missed the call of God. To follow Jesus means we will endure some of the same hardships He faced. But God knew this; and He provided the Holy Spirit to be our comfort and our guide (See John 14:15-27). We are not normal, for our eyes are intently fixed upon another world. We hold tight to the promise of our Savior: “You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33, HCSB)
When the Holy Spirit consumes your life, nothing will be normal. Your heart is different. Your mind is being transformed. Your joy comes from your position in Christ, not your temporary circumstances. Your fulfillment comes through intimate fellowship with your unseen Creator, not someone who will fail you. Walking with Christ is neither popular nor desirable for those who are trusting in themselves. Being a Christian is simply not normal.
“Follow One, Lead Others” Principle #52: Followers of Christ face difficulties in this life with courage and strength that comes from the Holy Spirit.
Today’s Prayer Point: Pray that God would prepare you for any and every kind of persecution that you will face in the weeks and years to come.
Shepherding Well 