February 18, 2014
Nothing worthwhile is easy. I’ve often admired talented musicians, and wanted to play guitar or piano like them. But, the unseen reality is that countless hours of disciplined practice produced the skills admired and appreciated. My desire thus far has never quite matched my discipline.
The pathway to the kingdom of God is also one of disciplined preparation. Granted, we enter through God’s abundant grace, which we could never produce on our own. But, pursuing this pathway of grace required personal discipline and perseverance.
“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. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7.13-14)
The gate and the path are provided, but it requires a decisive step on our part. A theological understanding of “gate-ology” and “path-ology” may be interesting, but eternal life is found in the actual pursuit and walk. The act of deliberately entering is key.
In the original language, both “narrow” and “small” literally mean “groaning”. We enter into the kingdom of God through the “gate of groaning”. It’s not that Jesus wants to put a damper on anyone’s enthusiasm, but rather to provide a realistic expectation. The apostle Paul echoed these sentiments when he said, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14.22) Anyone who tells you it is cake-walk time from baptism to resurrection isn’t being honest, or faithful to the Bible’s teaching!
The disciplines we are committed to are the real measure of our lives. The essence is not what we say, but we actually do (“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." Matthew 7.21)
I will always be entertained and inspired by gifted musicians. But, it is not likely I will ever have even the slightest chance of joining their ranks unless I make a radical commitment to the discipline of practice. God forbid that I should admire the prospects of life in the coming kingdom age without committing myself to the disciplines of appropriating that life and grace in my life. May you and I so desire that gift that we carefully discipline our lives today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
The pathway to the kingdom of God is also one of disciplined preparation. Granted, we enter through God’s abundant grace, which we could never produce on our own. But, pursuing this pathway of grace required personal discipline and perseverance.
“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. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7.13-14)
The gate and the path are provided, but it requires a decisive step on our part. A theological understanding of “gate-ology” and “path-ology” may be interesting, but eternal life is found in the actual pursuit and walk. The act of deliberately entering is key.
In the original language, both “narrow” and “small” literally mean “groaning”. We enter into the kingdom of God through the “gate of groaning”. It’s not that Jesus wants to put a damper on anyone’s enthusiasm, but rather to provide a realistic expectation. The apostle Paul echoed these sentiments when he said, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14.22) Anyone who tells you it is cake-walk time from baptism to resurrection isn’t being honest, or faithful to the Bible’s teaching!
The disciplines we are committed to are the real measure of our lives. The essence is not what we say, but we actually do (“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." Matthew 7.21)
I will always be entertained and inspired by gifted musicians. But, it is not likely I will ever have even the slightest chance of joining their ranks unless I make a radical commitment to the discipline of practice. God forbid that I should admire the prospects of life in the coming kingdom age without committing myself to the disciplines of appropriating that life and grace in my life. May you and I so desire that gift that we carefully discipline our lives today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 8:46 AM
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