The Journey

Matthew 7:13-14 (Amp) says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.”

I am not certain why many bible teachers today have forgotten this.  

Why did Jesus decide to “go down this path” in the first place?

 

The christian walk is not an easy walk. First we had to come to grips with ourselves that we were bound for destruction without a savior then, once we accepted Christ, many changes were going to occur. Some changes were immediate while some changes will take a lifetime. 

Counting the Costs of Serving Christ

Luke 14:25-27,33 (Amp) says, “Now large crowds were going along with Jesus; and He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate [to love less than me] his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God]—he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow after Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] cannot be My disciple. So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not [carefully consider the cost and then for My sake] give up [his focus of obtaining or holding] all his own possessions.”

We cannot look to follow Jesus or ask anyone to walk this path without first understanding that there is a price to pay to live this way of life. 

John 15:18-19 says, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” 

The world hates righteousness and by choosing to live holy lives we have become a target for hatred as well. 

Matthew 5:11-12 (Amp) says, “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

As we walk out our lives in front of the world we will be ridiculed and insulted. In many countries of this world, when someone chooses to follow Jesus, their families reject them and they are also rejected by their communities. In many cases, their very lives could be at jeopardy. 

In the time of Christ, there were two classes of people which can be simply defined as the “rich” and the “poor”. While a two tiered economic structure is not heard of in many countries today, it is present in many, if not most, third world countries. That being said, what still exists in all areas of life are possessions which can become idols in the lives for those who choose to cling to them.  

Matthew 19:17-24 says, ”Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the  kingdom of God.” 

 

2 Cor 9:6-8 says,”Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 

Paul wrote this to the Corinthians regarding giving (offerings and/or tithes) and the attitude in which it is given. A result of being a cheerful giver is that you will have all you NEED and the giver will continue to abound in good works. One example to consider is the story of feeding the 5000. All that they (disciples) had were two loaves and five fish but in the hands of Jesus the multitude was fed with leftovers and they continued the work of Christ. (Matthew 14:17-21)

Matthew 6:24 (Amp) says,” No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].”

Do not allow possession or position, whether at work or in the public eye, to become the master in your life. While we live in this world we must decide who we will service at any cost. Consider this, the prodigal had all the friends and influence he could have ever wanted until his money (possession, fame and status) ran out, then he was cast into the street. 

Matthew 6:19:21-21 (Amp) says, ”Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.”

There is a hideous undertow that is occurring in the western church today. Many are being convinced to seek out material treasures under the guise of “then you can help so many” but this is not consistent with what we read in Matthew 6.

The song “Rose Garden” by Lynn Anderson was popular when I was ten years old and at the beginning of the song it says “I never promised you a rose garden, along with the sunshine there’s gotta be a little rain sometime.. ”  While this is a lyric from a fifty year old secular song, the truth of it still applies today.

John 16:33 (Amp) says, “In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]”

Philippians 1:29-30 (Amp) says, “For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake, not only to believe and confidently trust in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, [and so you are] experiencing the same [kind of] conflict which you saw me endure, and which you hear to be mine now.

Many say, “I do not understand why God has allowed this to happen to me!” Rest assured that tribulation, persecution and suffering have their place in the life of the christian. 

Romans 5:1-5 (Amp) says, “ Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power]. And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” 

2 Timothy 1:8-13 (Amp) says, “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or about me His prisoner, but with me take your share of suffering for the gospel [continue to preach regardless of the circumstances], in accordance with the power of God [for His power is invincible], for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago], but now [that extraordinary purpose and grace] has been fully disclosed and realized by us through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus who [through His incarnation and earthly ministry] abolished death [making it null and void] and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher [of this good news regarding salvation]. This is why I suffer as I do. Still, I am not ashamed; for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him]. Keep and follow the pattern of sound teaching (doctrine) which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. “

Do not be fooled by those, prominent or obscure, who would tell you that “God would not allow suffering to come to you”. God has known every event that has happened, is happening and will happen in our future. As children of God, we realize that everything that happens has been permitted to occur and that it has happened for a reason. In the old testament story of Joseph, he suffered when his brothers sold him into slavery but if this had not happened, Joseph would not have been in the place to be advanced by the king which would have cause death and destruction to Israel and his family. 

The Christian life is an uphill climb towards heaven and IT IS NOT MEANT TO BE EASY. If it were easy, everyone would do it without thinking. The christian life requires deep introspection and should not be taken lightly because it will cost you everything in this world.

Paul spoke about the cost of following Jesus. He chose to give up his position, his title, his claims of righteousness according to the Law all to serve Jesus. (Phil 3:4-6) 

Paul went on to say this, “But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life]. But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. (Phil 3:7-9)

Once you have counted the cost of following Jesus and have decided to follow, grab the plow and don’t look back! (Luke 9:26) 

Remember, in John 16:33 (Amp) it says, “In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]