NOT THE WAY BUT THE END!

NOT THE WAY BUT THE END!

Matt 7:13-14

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

          Charles Spurgeon quotes the ancient Chrysostom who says, “the way is good if it is the way to a feast, even though it goes through a dark and miry lane. If it goes to an execution it is not good, even though it goes through the fairest street of the city.” Non qua sed quo. Not the way but the end is to be mainly considered.

          When God created man He gave him a wonderful and horrible gift; the gift of choice. It is wonderful because of the limitless opportunities and it is horrible for the same reason. We choose not so much because the way is well paved or well lit. We choose because of the destination. Our choices reveal our nature.

Our destiny is not determined for us, but it is determined by us. Man's free will is part of God's sovereign will. We have freedom to take which course we choose, but not freedom to determine the end of that choice. God makes clear what he desires, we must choose, and the result of the choice is not the inevitableness of law, but the inevitableness of God. -- Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

          Jesus said the gate was strait. The word does not mean that there are no twists or turns but that the entrance is small and exclusive. If Jesus is the “way” then all other ways lead to a different destination. The way that leads to destruction is wide; not exclusive at all. The most damning concept ever proposed is that all roads lead to the same place. This is clearly not true. Choose your gate and your way wisely.

Dear Lord, let me not choose my way blindly. Take me by my hand and whisper in my ear “this is the way, walk ye in it.” AMEN