Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:14
The gate is strait-conversion and regeneration are the gate, by which we begin a life of faith and serious godliness; out of a state of sin into a state of grace we must pass, by the new birth. There must be a new heart, and a new spirit, and old things must pass away. The bent of the soul must be changed, corrupt habits and customs broken off; what we have been doing all our days must be undone again. We must swim against the stream, much opposition must be struggled with and broken through, from without and from within.
It is easier to set a man against all the world than against himself, and yet this must be in conversion. It is a strait gate, for we must stoop or we cannot go in it; we must become as little children, high thoughts must be brought down, we must strip, must deny ourselves, put off the world, put off the old man, we must be willing to forsake all for our interest in Christ.
Let us see what there is in this way, which, notwithstanding, should invite us all to it--It leads to life, to present comfort in the favour of God, which is the life of the soul; to eternal bliss, the hope of which, at the end of our way, should reconcile us to all the difficulties and inconveniences of the road. The gate is strait and the way narrow and up-hill, but one hour in heaven will make amends for all.
The great concern and duty of everyone of us, in consideration of all this; Enter ye in at the strait gate. The matter is fairly stated: life and death, good and evil, are set before us; both the ways and both the ends; now let the matter be taken entire and considered impartially, and then choose you this day which you will walk in, the matter determines itself, and will not admit of a debate. (Matthew Henry)
I always thought the word strait meant straight until I looked it up in the dictionary. A strait gate was one in which you literally had to stoop to go through. The analogy being that you have to make a choice if you enter this gate. We are created with free will--God lays it out before us, no debating, the two choices that mankind has. If we decide to go with Him, He has promised that we will not travel alone. He will provide us with what is needed and the road becomes easier the longer we travel with Him.
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| Choice is Yours |
2 comments:
Love this! I always thought the same thing about the word strait. Thanks for sharing!
The part about becoming as little children caught my attention. Just yesterday our pastors wife gave the sermon. And it was on...yes.. coming to Him as little children.
And she sang the main part of her message, in a childlike, simple singsong-y way that children do who make up a tune. It was totally disarming, and charming, and touching. Very child-like...which of course, was the point.
One thing that spoke to me was that we tend to put up our "adult" walls, and must be all proper and self-protected... instead of trusting like a child that whatever the Father is up to will be a good thing, and to be open and expectant.
Anyway.. thank you for this post, it brought her whole message back to me fresh again. :-)
Loretta
=^..^=
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