The Line Leader

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)

 

After moving to South Jersey from Philadelphia I had to learn how to ride a bicycle. There weren’t any SEPTA buses or subways to get around with and to walk to the nearest store like I used to when I lived in Philly, required bivouac gear and rations to complete the journey. Go ahead and giggle but when you’re a twelve-year-old kid it sure seemed that way. As time went by, I got the urge to go explore the layout of this “brave new world” known as Collings Lakes.

 

The place was full of dirt trails that were previously made by those kids lucky enough to own motorcycles. It was a lot of fun as I would get the feeling that I was actually lost during the travel but always seemed to come out at a familiar point. However, every once in awhile, I would take those “Deer Trails” and get myself truly lost. It would take forever to get back to familiar territory which was fine with me because I would need that time to come up with a reason why I was so late getting home when my mother asked, “Where were you?”

 

Sometimes on those bike rides I would wish that someone was leading the way. Then maybe it would have brought comfort in those moments where I would ask myself “Where am I?” But in reality, that person would have just been following the path, in the same way, it was as if someone had been here before. Maybe this was the motivation the Apostle Paul needed when he said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1)

 

In today’s opening verses, Jesus gives a clear description of what two different paths look like. Now, be honest with your reading of it, doesn’t it sound like He has been there before? If you agree then please read on, if not, my e-mail address is included, we’ll need to talk. Anyway…whether we all like it or not, we’re on a pathway that ultimately leads to an end. Jesus plainly tells that one pathway seems really easy because everyone is on it but the other isn’t so easy and only a select few take it. This is the path that Jesus wants all of us, who hear His voice, to take. And let’s face this fact, every earthly leader follows someone who took a path before him. So, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Get it?

 

So…what must we do and what must we follow? Maybe this from Colossians three will ring true to you.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.” — Colossians 3:1-4

 

When Jesus gave His “Sermon on the Mount”, He wasn’t just taking the time to say some really cool stuff. On the contrary, He was giving us a roadmap that many have taken before us. You can go to Hebrews 11 and read about them yourself. Those were the people who set their minds on keeping God’s commandments. Those were the people who understood the calling that would guide them heavenward and into His marvelous light. Even in the “way back when’s”, Moses would write,

 

“Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands.” — Deuteronomy 7:9

 

One of the things I keep realizing over and over again is that God’s Word, The Bible, is what I need to see how that ‘Deer Trail” is gonna work out. Many a man before me, have informed me that I need to be faithfully abiding by what we are all shown in His Word. You can take a look around the world today and see just how lost many, on that wide path truly are. They refuse to acknowledge a Mighty God and their pathways aren’t taking them to a point where they can say, “Oh, this looks familiar.” I am supposing their coming up with a reason to explain to God what happened when they have their moment before Him when He ask’s, “Where were you?” I’d rather hear, “There you are!” I hope you do too, Amen?

 

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a husband, a father, has an education in Biblical doctrine, and is a graduate of The Colony of Mercy. He has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008. You can email him at cphughes515@verizon.net

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Think About This: “We might be wise to follow the insight of the enraptured heart rather than the more cautious reasoning of the theological mind.” — A.W. Tozer

The Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 45-48| You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men 1 Peter 2:15

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.