Foggy mirrors and a faithful God

preached from in one of my very first sermons. The scripture was from Matthew 7: 13,14,and reads, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in threat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Over the years since then, I have come to realize this is so true, not that any of the Bible is untrue. I remember preaching about several reasons that made the wide, broad path easier to follow through. As years go by, I’m understanding that the very nature we’re born with leads us to this path. Our nature is to sin against God, to choose our ways and desires over those He has for us. This is an easier path, because there’s less resistance. There’s been times where God had given me opportunities, whether I recognized them or not, and I chose to squander them away. These weren’t due to failures or poor decisions of others, they were mine. These opportunities would have allowed for greater blessings for those in my life. I have also witnessed much, and some total, destruction in the lives of students and adults in the past sixteen years since becoming a Christian. So many lives have been ruined by the decisions that have been made. Satan leads us on this path. His goal is to destroy your life. Jesus was speaking of him, in John 10:10 when He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy”.

Then there’s the straight gate and narrow way. This is the gate that leads to life. This is the way that God sets before us to enter into, and stay on. This way is counter to our nature and culture. As I preached that message those years ago, I remember that making mention that God leads us to this gate. Far too often, the decision is made to avoid this gate, because there are costs involved that seem to be greater than the costs of going through the wide gate. In order to “fit” through the narrow gate, our will, that doesn’t matchup with God’s will for us, has to be left outside this path; along with our selfish dreams and ambitions. For some, it may mean walking away from careers, friendships or even family. I’ve met several folks that have had to make these tough, painful decisions, but I can’t remember one that said they had regretted doing what was right.

I had a twenty-two year-old young man come to me a couple of weeks ago. He looked a whole lot different than when I first met him. He had made a lot of decisions that were poor, and they have left him with lasting scars and consequences. My heart hurt so much for him, because he really does want to be on the narrow, greater path. As he poured out his failures to God, he said “it’s too late, it’s too late.” I took him into a restroom, and told him to breathe on the mirror. I explained to him that if it fogged over he was wrong, and of course it did. The good news is that God sets the right path before us each day. If you’re on the path that leads you closer to him, great! If you’re not, just turn around. The costs are high, but there’s great value in the reward. Be Blessed.