Matthew 7:13-14 (LSB) 13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
As you read these words today, please take them to heart. Let them penetrate.
Why do I say this?
Because these words matter. They are important enough to warrant careful consideration by each of us. And I will speak them plainly because of their critical nature.
There is no such thing as casual Christianity. We are either all in, or not in at all.
Why do I say that? And how can I back it up?
Jesus spent His days on earth teaching people the importance of repenting, putting God first, having faith in Him, and producing fruit.
He would not have done that if it wasn’t true, and it didn’t matter.
In the words above, He spoke plainly about the fact that the road (gate) to life is narrow, and that few will enter in. Those are sobering words in and of themselves if we take them at face value, which He intended.
But He said much more.
He told His disciples that we must abide (remain steadfastly) in Him, because apart from Him we cannot bear fruit. And, in fact, we can do nothing apart from Him.
John 15:4 (LSB) 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit from itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
And He went on to expound further by stating that anyone (any branch) that does not bear fruit is cut off by the Father, removed and thrown away.
John 15:2 (AMPC) 2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.
You see, Jesus did not die on the cross so people could casually, intermittently follow (trust) Him.
God intends that our walk with Him be a lifelong endeavor that means something; a heartfelt endeavor that gets our attention wholeheartedly.
This goes far beyond walking an aisle, praying a prayer of salvation, or attending a weekly church service.
He wants our whole heart, 24/7, 365.
Will we give it to Him?
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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