2 Gates, 2 Destinies.

Life is a series of choices and their consequences. Some are simply fun such as the team you choose to support. Others can be deadly, as when a person chooses so called recreational drugs such as ‘speed’. It can lead to psychotic behaviour and death. In the religious realm to accept the Koran as your guide can make you a jihadist. Staying in the sun may give you more than a tan. Sex is promoted as fun without side effects. Yet there is shame, jealousy, infections to name a few.
In Matthew 7:13-14 regarding the Kingdom of God Jesus spoke about choices. He referred to two gates and their impact upon your destiny. These 2 gates do not meet us at birth. At a later time we are confronted by their claim and invitation. What then did He mean by The Wide Gate?
It offers an easy life. Self is the guiding principle. The attraction of being your own god is strong. At the beginning of the road there are many enjoyments and few restrictions. Jesus advises “Look further down the road”.

Now this road has many lanes: Moral, ‘I’m a nice person and I’m good enough for God, whoever or whatever he/she/it may be’. Spiritual, ‘All belief systems are okay by me’. Intellectual, ‘There isn’t any absolute truth’. Self-esteem/success, ‘When I’m rich, famous or successful I will be happy and life will be meaningful’. Unfortunately Jesus knows where such attitudes lead. He calls it ‘death’. Proverbs 16:25: ‘Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to death’.

Death comes in many forms: Relationships break-up and die, health breaks down, morality is degraded and disappears, spirituality is a masquerade, intellectual pursuits lead no-where because life has no absolutes, and ultimately all that comes to a rejection by God (who has been used or ignored) for all eternity.

What did Jesus say about The Narrow gate?
Jesus doesn’t soften the facts surrounding the ‘narrow gate’ simply to get people to enter it. It is ‘strait/narrow’ (stenos). In other words it has boundaries. It is restrictive, unlike the wide gate. This implies you must be prepared to ‘make some self-sacrifices’ to walk through it. Why would you pay such a high price to your ego? Jesus calls you to see where the road leads. It is to life! This is one of the purposes for Christ and Christmas, John 10:10b: ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly’.

Luke uses a word about the ‘narrow door’ in 13:24 in another setting showing that the choice isn’t easy. It is often accompanied by ‘effort’ as the Greek word highlights. The word can be translated as ‘agony’. For some the agony is to be rejected by family/caste. Others lose careers/inheritances. It is a death sentence for some. Most of us agonise because it means we have to say, and over the years repeat it “Not my will but yours be done” (this can be symbolised by the words of Jesus about ‘taking up your cross and following Him’.) Therefore, it is important to look not at the entrances but at the consequences and destinies offered. 

This narrow road also has a number of lanes: There is the lane of Worship. What a privilege we have to call God ‘Father’ and to worship Him by faith and gratitude for who He is and what He has done in our lives. The lane of service offers us the opportunity to express our abilities for the honour of the Lord and the welfare of others.  The lane of Witness is more than words yet includes them as we explain to others why we walk the narrow way. The lane of stewardship expresses the fact that what we have and are is not Ego centric but Christ centred and is used wisely and with purpose.  Each lane requires being in step with Christ Jesus’ word, being faithful to the task in hand and aware that we have personal accountability (1 Corinthians 3:13-15. 9:24-27). The end of the road is to meet up with Jesus in His realm and be with Him forever. That makes the agony of the Narrow way more than worthwhile.

For any who made the Wide gate their choice is there any chance for them to leave it. Of course, but it is difficult. It requires humility to admit you made a bad choice and want to change. It takes courage to call out to the Lord Jesus you have ignored and ask Him to rescue you. It takes faith in His word to accept His offer to remove you from the Broadway, forgive and cleanse you for placement on the Narrow way. Then it takes gratitude to let loose His grace in you so that you can enjoy the life promised.

Is Jesus being unfair to ask this of anyone?

No! It was a similar choice He had to make. Remember Matthew 4:1-11 where He was put under a severe three way trial by the Devil. He could have chosen the ‘Broadway’ to being a celebrity, to proving His Sonship and to ruling the world. He rejected them because they were the way to failure and death. In Gethsemane Jesus revealed the price for Him of the Narrow way – accepting the ‘cup’ that led to Calvary. But Hebrews 12:2 reveals that He also looked towards the end of the narrow way. Some of that joy He would enter into would involve you putting your trust in Him. He would rejoice in the privilege you give Him to take you off the way to destruction. It would include you one day meeting Him face to face and sharing His realm for ever. The writer of Hebrews then invited the readers to walk with the Lord on that same victory road to life, in daily living and into eternity.

©Ray Hawkins 5.1.2015

Questions God Asks #4 Can these bones Live?

The Question about Bones

You would have to feel some sympathy for Ezekiel. This prophet was asked a leading question by God. Remember he was a prisoner in the kingdom of Babylon for his nation had been conquered and scattered. The promises to Abraham and David had not yet been fulfilled. It looked like such promises would rot amongst the dry bones.

Ezekiel was granted a vision of a valley filled with dry bones. He understood it referred to the Nation of Israel. God’s question in Ezekiel 37:3 ‘Can these bones live?’ put him on the spot. I think the prophet knew God could do it, but would He? Like many Ezekiel remained neutral, uncommitted, afraid of being wrong.

There were unnumbered bones, dried, scattered. Being unburied was a sign of shame as well as defeat. Now the prophet was told to speak to this pile of bleached bones, how depressing. Sometimes we may feel we speak to disinterested audience, how must he have felt. What was the Lord God’s aim? Ezekiel 37:6 ‘You shall know that I am the Lord.’ Verses 13and 14 repeat this concept. In fact throughout this book that theme runs like a golden thread, a promise of events near to Ezekiel’s time and others in the far distant future.

Of course history records the return of the scattered remnant of Israel. The Gospels highlight the promised One the Old Testament spoke about. However those bones which came alive for the coming of the Christ once more experienced a warrior’s death under the military might of Rome in A.D. 70 and 135. The nation’s carcase was once again portrayed by Ezekiel’s vision. Through the pages of the Bible God again asked the question: ‘Can these bones live?’ Few believed they could or even should. However on May 14th 1948 the Nation of Israel came together from the scattered ‘bones’ of a persecuted, shattered, despised people.

Has this nation felt again the living breath from Heaven? It is apparent that the bones have come rattling back into a coherent form. The testimony of their continued existence against the fury and fighting forces of surrounding nations says something about God’s oversight. Unfortunately their spiritual ‘breath’ has not yet been blown into them. When will that happen? At a time known only to the Lord God! This we do know, it will happen. On what authority do we claim that? The Scriptures of both the Old and New covenants, and also the words of the Lord Jesus. This will take place after a most terrible time (Matthew 24. Revelation 6-20. These refer to the Nation of Israel, not the Church)





In this 21st century the question isn’t ‘Can these bones live?’ They have come together into a most impressive nation. I think should God speak to any of us today His question would be; ‘Can this nation of assembled bones survive?’ The Islamic world and their Western allies say ‘No! Not if we can help it’. Many a sympathetic supporter of Israel might squeeze out ‘I hope so’. The Word of God says unequivocally that the Lord returns to rule from Jerusalem, be worshipped in the Temple and to fulfil the promises made to Israel through the prophets.

There are many difficult times ahead for this nation. However there are greater and more severe times ahead for those who seek to make God’s promises to this Nation a lie. If you are interested look up the following references as you ask yourself ‘can this nation of assembled bones survive?’

Isaiah 54:17. No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper.

Zechariah 14 1-21

Isaiah 2:1-5

Ezekiel 341-31. 36:38.

Joel 3:1-21

Etc.

The Importance of the Bible

The Bible – God’s Sword.

The Judeo–Christian Bible is loved or hated, feared or revered, assailed or defended because of its content and claims. As I share this series I want to let you into the reasons why I love it, enjoy it, am convinced of its inspiration and integrity. For me the Bible has more going for it than any other religious/spiritual book.

We will consider some of the claims it makes and whether they match up to reality in a person’s life. For instance why does it claim to be the sword of the Lord? ‘The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two–edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.’ (Hebrews 4:12) 

Notice it isn’t a literal sword. It is much more enduring and powerful. A metal sword can only kill not bring back to life. The word of God does both. When we hear it or read it there is a power and vibrancy penetrating our mind and heart. It’s searching out anything contrary to the eternal and holy God. This is why so many resist reading it.  Over the years I have felt the smiting of God’s sword. It cuts deep and deals with thoughts, motives, dark passions and self–righteous virtues no one but God and I know about. It reveals so as to deal with issues effecting a personal faith and obedient relationship with our Lord and Saviour.

What happens next? I must offer up those unwholesome things of my inner and active life to the sword. The Lord doesn’t snatch them from me. I must yield them to the sword. In so doing the word of God puts them to death, provides forgiveness and offers new resources to live a life pleasing to God It becomes one which will bless others and also prevent any blackmailing from Satan. God made me (and also you in similar circumstances) alive together with Him when He forgave and put to death all my trespasses. (Colossians 2:13)

If I don’t read or listen to God’s word then I may imagine I’m safe from His sword. Foolish thinking! The ultimate day will arrive when we stand before the One who wields the sword of His mouth. Before the Lord gives permission to enter His glory how much smiting sword play will He require to be performed on me, on you? We cannot enter with moral, spiritual or emotional darkness and disease in our inner being. Best to deal with it in our life time than to be embarrassed before His judgement seat. Sure salvation is not at risk, but knowing the pleasure of the Lord concerning our faithfulness is.

So I’m thankful for those across the years who taught me God’s word, which I didn’t put into practice unfortunately until late teens. The pain and shame of feeling God’s sword wasn’t pleasant but Oh how thankful I am that He used it. I’m also glad that the Lord continues to make His word alive and active today. Why? Because it safeguards my Christian life and testimony as well as knowing his pleasure!

Next week…The Bible as life guiding light..

I hope you will come along with me each week to have a look at some of the wonder, the beauty and the promises alive and vibrant in His word. Until next week – enjoy reading and hearing the most thrilling book in all of time.