Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: Where Are You In Your Spiritual Journey?

To every man there openeth
A way, and ways, and a way.
And some men climb the high way,
And some men grope below,
And in between on the misty flats
The rest drift to and fro.
And to every man there openeth
A high way and a low;
And every man decideth
Which way his soul shall go.  -John Oxenham.

Are you aware that everyone is on a spiritual journey as they travel through life? It's true! Whether religious or not, we travel a spiritual path. Every day we make choices that affects the direction in which we are headed.

Many people think that the paths we can travel are many. And you know, in one sense that may be true; after all, there are all kinds of religions. But in another sense there are really only two paths or ways.

In His sermon on the mount, Jesus spoke of these two ways (Matthew 7:13-14). Each with its own beginning, each with its own end. One way is heavily populated, the other is traveled by few.

So here's the big question: "Where are you in your spiritual journey?" Are you on the right way? Are you heading in the right direction? In order to answer such questions, let's look closely at what Jesus said...

He said that there are two gates. The first one is "the wide gate" (Matthew 7:13). This "gate" represents the beginning to the "way" that leads to destruction. It's described as "wide" because evidently it's a gate which allows many to enter with no sacrifice on their part.
         
It doesn't require giving up anything. You're allowed to bring along whatever "baggage" you desire through this gate. "What kind of baggage?" you ask. I'm talking about things like: materialism, prejudice, hatred, an unforgiving spirit, etc.

That's why this is the most "preferred" choice by the most people.Why? A better question would be, "Why not?" Look at it this way. There are no restrictions concerning belief and behavior taking this route. And, it also opens the way to "the path of least resistance."

The second gate Jesus spoke about is "the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13). This "gate" represents the beginning, or starting point, to the "way" that leads to life. Why is it "narrow?"  Because it's a gate which requires self-denial and obedience (cf. Matthew 16:24).
       
It hasn't any room for things such as: a consuming desire for earthly goods (Matthew 6:19-20); an unforgiving spirit (Matthew 6:14-15); and self-righteousness (Matthew 6:1). Coincidentally, these are things that Jesus already stressed on His sermon on the mount.
     
Okay, now let's take a closer look at the fact that along with these "two gates," there are "two ways." The first is the "broad" way (Matthew 7:13). This is the way that leads to destruction is broad because it allows: any behavior one desires; and no need for reformation or changes in one's "lifestyle."

Many people love this path. And who wouldn't? They think they are "free;" they believe they are "open-minded;" and they view themselves as "tolerant" of others in this same way. The second way is the constricted of "narrow" way (Matthew 7:14).

Because of its difficulty, many choose not to travel its path. They think it's too "confining," and they think it's too "narrow-minded." No one said it would be easy to travel this "way" (Matthew 7:14). I mean, the way that leads to life is "difficult" because it requires a righteousness that exceeds that of many religious people (Matthew 5:20); and a definite change in our behavior (cf. Matthew 5:21-7:12).

According to Jesus, there are only two roads (ways). One leads to life (i.e., heaven). The other road, leads to destruction. Are you on the right way, the only way, that leads to life? Will you be among the few, or the many? Let Jesus direct you along the "narrow" way that leads to eternal life!

Scripture: Proverbs 19:21; Proverbs 16:9; Philippians 4:8; Isaiah 30:21; 1 John 1:9; Romans 10:10; Hebrews 11:25

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

May your week be blessed!

Bibi