ATTRIBUTES OF THE NARROW-WAY
I consider writing this episode
because of different individual Christian who may have found themselves in an unusual
situation through faith and find it hard to blend with what they stand for.
First, we have to deliberate what Narrow-way stand for in the world of
Christianity. The crown Christian journey is to end up where Christ dwelling is.
Though there are several additional bonuses to Christian life as the book of
Luke 1 verse 72 and many other verses of the scriptures have proven. For
example, deliverance from enemies, provision and favour of advancement in
worldly rendition but the major backbone is to enter into Christ dwelling which
is the kingdom of God.
Christian life experience is like
a Maze (puzzled-garden) which starts with different routes but maintained one
major route as its exit while the exit enters straight into Christ dwelling
place (kingdom of God). This one major route is what the bible refers to as the
NARROW-WAY. This narrow-way came into lime light of Christianity by Christ
himself when he was introducing the kingdom of God and that the only way to the
place prepared by God for the continuation of life after death for all who care
is this Narrow-way Matt. 7 v
The foretold plan of God the
Father of Christ for any who choose to attach their destiny with Christ is to
end up in this special dwelling place of Christ as John 14 verses 1-3 made it
known. This dwelling place of Christ (kingdom of God) was also being introduced
as a place of rest after all the hassles of this present life as Hebrew 4 verse
10 present it.
Every human that had ever lived and
still living this planet earth had always wish they would escape death for
their life to continue but death just came and terminate the continuation no
matter how beautiful and enjoyable it may be. But the beautiful part of this
story is that though termination was caused through sin but the Creator has
prepare another opportunity of life through Christ the messiah who happen to be
the Door to God’s dwelling.
For Narrow-way, it marks the
beginning of a new life as a born-again Christian without wish if you don’t
adopt it as a life style you may not end up with Christ to enter into his
dwelling. Narrow-way is meant to be a life style that is to be adopted by any
who choose to enter into the dwelling place of God (place of rest) as ordained
by Christ. Jesus Christ once said, whoever hear his voice and opens the door,
he will come in and make his abode with such (Rev 3 v 20).This door marks the
beginning of the Narrow-way; it is not possible to enter in to the way without
going through this door. Accepting Christ as ones Lord and Saviour is the key
that opens the door to the Narrow-way but it is the choice of such individual
who will make attempt of this decision. That is why Christ described himself as
the door in John 10 verse 1-9 for anyone who wants pastures (rest). From that
text place I quote above Christ indicated some other ways that can possibly
deceive passenger plying this route. This is just for you to know that there
are other ways similar to your intention of coming to Christ. One major route
that leads to the exit coincidentally looks like several others which did not lead
to the exit, yet the passenger of Narrow-way must be well cultured to its
environment in order to identify the original route that leads to the exit else
such may be stranded or get stock to a wrong route and never able to define the
purpose or privilege of living the Christian faith.
One other route (life-style) that
seems to be twinly attached to the Narrow-way in look and reason is what Jesus
Christ also introduced as the BROAD-WAY. Whereas this broad-way accept optional
approach to challenges of life where Narrow-way doesn’t allow any other options
than to lay down your rights as self-denial. That is why Christ says that many
are found in this broad-way because it is easy to ply (to live) but the bad
news of it is that it doesn’t leads to Christ dwelling but place of
destruction. For example, in a situation to have a dream come true and you are
faced with a dilemma to save your head from shame, broad-way life-style would
bring different suggestion from flesh including lies which at the end is human
aid while Narrow-way would only suggestion the Will of God with quotable
scriptures warning you of intentional sin (case note: Cain in Gen. 4 v 3-8).
Above all Narrow-way life-style would steer up the Fear of God that usually
preserve the life of the saint in the journey of this world while Broad-way
encourages human aid that stale the presence of God away thus silence the voice
of the Comforter and helper that supposed to help along the journey.
This is the condition of many Christian
in faith today irrespective of their position in the society either as Christian
leader or social worker etc. Many could no longer define the purpose of Christianity
again nor were they able to look towards the end or walk their way to the place
of rest. Yet I say that the process of surviving the worldly system has
crippled and disable so many to short-sightedness in the things of God and His
dwelling place (kingdom). Yet if you have to get to His dwelling place
(kingdom) you cannot minus the Narrow way or neglect its experience in
Christian way of life. Whatever your aim may be as a Christian; set your
priority right as opportunity cost, just make sure you enter into rest as Human
life still continue after this life either in rest or continuation labour. The
only route that enters into that rest as directed by the bible is the
Narrow-way but you must identify and understand the jurisdiction of this route.
Another snag is that, many of us
(Christians) thought because it is a way that leads to God’s kingdom that it
must be smooth, nice cooling route to travel across. Let it be known to you
that Narrow-way though ordained of God is a road (life-style) that is not easy
to ply by one self except with God Himself through the help of the Holy-Spirit.
It is one route that has a huge price tag on it coupled with different ditches
with object that are capable of creating wounds and scars along the journey of
Christian faith for any of those plying it. Yet one law binding this route is
that YOU MUST NOT FALL at any time meaning before you take any decision as a
Christian you must have gone through the class WAITING ON GOD learn the process.
Though you will not be put to shame but your integrity will be tested by God
Himself where perseverance and endurance is require of you as a Christian.
Another point I will like to make
is the issue of perfection required by and requested of God from any privilege
Christian that desire to ply the Narrow-way life-style (Gen. 17 v 1). The issue
of perfection bought in the Holiness of God to be adopted by imperfect human
being taking them through stages of sanctification where Brokenness comes in
until they are like God. I have seen mistake of so many Christian where they
attach and measure the holiness of God to long dressing, hairdo condemning the
people they are supposed to demonstrate the love of God as sinner. No one plying Narrow-way life-style can
attain perfection of God without stages of Brokenness which is powered only by
the Holy-spirit. This is where holiness comes in and it is not the work of one
or one year, may be often blame yourself for short-comings due to imperfection,
as you making effort to be perfect God still count you as His beloved.
To all my Christian friends
out there who desire to get to the place of rest with Christ perhaps you find
yourself in any of the situations I will list below, let it be known that you
are not far from the kingdom of God still maintain your stand. These are the
characteristics of Narrow-way:-
(1). Loneliness: This life-style
would hedge you against the system of the world and turn your world upside down
in that it would isolate you from friends and family and the society at large (James
4 v 4) depriving of so many benefits you would embrace on normal platform.
(2). Shame: delay from normal
process of development like singleness, barrenness, penury or unemployment this
can bring shame while waiting for God’s intervention but remember those who
wait on God will not be put shame (Isaiah). The advantage of this waiting is
the process of sending in
(3). Afflictions: God use this
medium to develop faith of His beloved, afflictions are food of a strong faith.
I will say for any plying the narrow-way just enlisted him or herself into the
Job school of mystery it is not because of your sin but test of faith you will
be expose only to what you can bear.
(4). Rejection
(5). Persecution: you cannot
minus persecution from narrow-way which seems to odd addictions to the people
outside your world and this would attract offensive reactions to you. They will
in turn be used to fight your decision either from family or environment
(6).
Some Facts to help understand the Narrow-way
(1.) It is not smooth but rough
with different experiences that are fragile and painful to cause wounds pierce through
sorrowful events.
(2.) Its life style is not
achievable without Patience and the gift of Discernment which is required
before taking any decision else you fall into a mire situation (furlong
situation).
GOD BLESS YOU WITH ABUNDANT OF PEACE FROM CHRIST
AUTHOR: Sis. Toun Praise Olujuwon
PRODUCER: The Ten Virgin Ministries.
EMAIL; Tenvirginministries@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: Ten virginministries; Toun Praise; Rapture Alert
WHATSAPP: 08057069221
BLOG: www.Tenvirginsministries.blogspot.com
YOUTUBE:TOUN PRAISE
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