“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few which find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
You’ve heard it said a thousand times. “Just go with the flow.” “Why swim against the current?” “Why fight an uphill battle?” That statement along with those questions; makes one want to give in and do the easy thing, go the easier path.
It’s hard to go the road less traveled; to be intentional and vigilant to walk circumspectly with the Lord your God, every moment of every day, for the rest of your life. It requires making tough, daily choices.
Ask the woman who is hooked on pain pills. Ask the man who lost his family to an illicit affair. Ask the man or woman who decided to live a life of homosexuality. Going with the ways of the world will win you the applause of men, but not the approval of God.
I think of three men; a father and his twin sons who stand against the tide of this world. In the years I have known the Benham’s; they have always swam upstream. Flip, David and Jason have stood against abortion, homosexuality and most recently, the bathroom gender changes. They publicly put their actions, their money, their time; into speaking out against sin.
The world declares OK what God calls open, defiant, rebellious sin. The Benhams have suffered persecution in a way most Americans have not experienced. This family had been working for months on a program for HGTV. However; because of their willingness to speak out against homosexuality; the program was canceled.
Everything this family says or does is scrutinized with a high powered magnifying glass. They get it. They understand the ramifications of what “Thus says the Lord.” They know and believe the broad way of the world leads to destruction of individuals, families and ultimately whole societies.
Before you decide to just go with the flow; count the cost of broad way and enter into the narrow way.
Prayer in Motion:
Lord God of heaven and earth, help me decide ahead of time not to go with the flow. Give me courage and strength to fight the ways of the world. I pray I will not succumb to the ways of the world. In Jesus Name. Amen
