The Narrow Road

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Mathew 7:14

 Imagine a narrow road going up a mountain, on one side is written the word religion while on the other carnality. Christianity as I have come to understand it, is a delicate balance of trying to avoid both of these extremes while on the narrow road of salvation. In my life as a Christian I have had my share of both extremes

The Religious side

In an attempt to please God I have resulted to works, Do’s and Don’ts. Don’t go to clubs , don’t be in the same room alone with a lady , Don’t hang out with sinners, Don’t listen to worldly music  e.t.c  Unfortunately this does not work. 5 steps how to.., putting boundaries are all works of the flesh and have only the ability to subdue the symptoms of sin but do little to change your heart. The Old Testament has 613 laws that could not make the Israeli’s righteous, adding Don’ts to the 613 does not make it any easier. The Galatians  were  guilty of this sin.

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace Galatians 5:4

 On the flip side I resulted to Do’s e.g. serving in church, trying to love the unloved, giving excessive tithe’s and offerings, giving to orphans, praying and fasting, planting seed (panda mbegu); all these are good things, but why we do them is what is important. Motive is everything i.e. the intentions of the heart. Are you working for God or working with God. The religious spirit works for God, trying to earn favor or win approval not realizing that their approval was purchased for them 2000 yrs ago through the finished works of Christ on the Cross.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8 

The religious life is marked by 2 aspects the 1^st one is striving.  “To exert much effort or energy; endeavor”.”To struggle or fight forcefully; contend”. The works of the flesh are normally centered on one’s self and abilities, I can do this and I can’t do this; leaving no room for God. The life of a striver is full of anxiety, condemnation, perfectionism and frustration because the flesh cannot successfully defeat sin.

The second aspect is self-righteousness. Since self validation comes from the 316 laws plus the additional Do’s and Don’ts  religious people are quick to react when confronted with the sins of others that do not align with their set of Do’s and Don’ts. They are the first ones to pick a stone as in the case of the prostitute who was brought before Jesus.

Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. John 8:7

If you are in the business of exposing the sins of others remember the same standard you place on others will be placed on you. Remember that the only reason you are not a prostitute, rapist, thief or killer is purely because of the grace of God. The grace ensured you went to the right school, neighborhood e.t.c As Christians we forget what Christ modeled for us, differentiate between the sin and the sinner. Love the sinner hate the sin

 The religious spirit is enslaved to the law and is always monitoring other people’s lives to uncover sin, always trying to earn what has already been given as a gift. Grace.

It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy Romans 9:16

The Carnal side

Carnality is defined as when we think, act and live as if this world is our home – not living in the consciousness of eternal issues.Many Christians when escaping religion have fallen for this trap, while trying to avoid error they fall into another error. Reaction to error usually produces error. Response to truth always wins out over those who react to error.

The Corinth church was carnal; sexual immorality and drunkardness  , they simply gave into, and accommodated  the desires of the flesh. Carnality is slavery to sin

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery Galatians 5:1

The Narrow Road

Only this year have I started to understand the narrow road. That I don’t have to struggle between the two extremes mentioned above, that in my own strength I cannot do it. That salvation is a supernatural activity just like healing and raising the dead. I simply can’t work it, psyche myself to do it right or figure it out. It is by Grace that we are saved and the executing agent of Grace is the HOLY SPIRIT. Living under the law is the tendency to desire a list of preset boundaries and not a relationship. While both the law and grace have commandments, Grace comes with an inbuilt ability to obey what was commanded. Under grace I don’t get a road map.. I get a tour guide- the Holy Spirit. He directs, reveals and empowers me to be and do what the word says.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. Romans 8:14

To stay on the narrow road we need to be constantly dependent on the Holy Spirit. We have to submit to Him; I think the correct word is to be malleable ” Capable of being shaped or formed, as by hammering or pressure” “Easily controlled or influenced; tractable.”

 In short your role is not to work or try to change yourself but the opposite, your work is to rest and surrender; let him take over. Following the Holy Spirit is very similar to Israel following the cloud of the Lord’s presence in the wilderness. To get to our promised land we have to learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, to stop when he says stop, to move when he says move and to trust him and not to lean on our own understanding. Many fear following “the voice” because it might lead them away from scriptures or out of their comfort zone. The mistakes of some have led many to fear experiential pursuit. Embracing such fear causes a failure to the other extreme, which is culturally more acceptable, but significantly worse in eternity.

Jesus did not say “my sheep will know my bible” it is His voice we are to know . If we abide in Him we will know Him so well that His voice will be unmistakable e.g if your mother called you on a different mobile line chances are you would recognize her voice.why? because you have spent  a lot of time with her since childhood. so it is with  our heavenly Father. All is from Him, through the cross, and by His Spirit: our salvation, our new Life, our changed hearts, and our Spirit-led service and sharing. And all bear witness to His sovereign love and grace. To God be the glory.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

“Live in such a way that unless God shows up what you’re attempting to do is bound to fail. This is the nature of the Gospel.” Bill Johnson