Just How Narrow is the Gate?

Today’s Insight in the Word-
Matthew 7 – This is one of my favorite verses, but it is also one that causes me to deeply reflect on my life.  Today the word Christian is tossed around all too easily.  Many people that claim to know Jesus Christ also deny Him by their actions.  Unfortunately this is a bad representation of one who follows Jesus Christ.  Other people looking at these types of Christians may believe it is okay to live like that or think that there is nothing different about their life versus a typical Christian.  Verses 13 and 14 show that the gate is indeed narrow.  In Matthew 7 later on it also states, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”  
Those that claim to know Jesus, but live habitually in sin have not truly repented and risk believing that they are indeed dead to the flesh.  These people that cry to the Lord are ones that very well may have been “Christians” but never came to know Jesus and to leave their old life behind.  It is a dangerous tactic by Satan.  Christians are deceived by believing they can live how they want because grace will cover them.  The fact is that they never truly died to theirselves to gain new life in Christ.
Vs 13,14 “[The Narrow and Wide Gates] “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Walking in the Word – In my life I will live an example for others to follow.  I will not be a complacent Christian, but instead be obedient to God’s word and obedient to His will for me and for His children.  I will help others to see that living a life for the Lord is more than just a word.

Prayer Response to the Word – Father God, help us to see that being a follower of Jesus Christ is more than just calling ourselves Christians.  Help us to see that it is a daily dying to oneself in order that we may abide in You.  Lord please restore those that have grown weary and speak to those that did not listen before.  Help us in these times so that we may set ourselves apart and present our lives as living sacrifices.  Lord please have mercy on us and strengthen us to stand against the enemy and his tactics.  In Jesus’ precious Name, Amen and Amen!