The narrow road and the board road, which one are you on

I was listening to John MacArthur's sermon. He was discussing the narrow road and the board road to heaven.

The sermon was awesome. He was pulling so much ideas from the passage that I never thought of.

I am particularly interested when he discusses that the narrow road is about confiding ourselves and agonizing our way to heaven.

For most people, this might not sound appealing. And it isn't.

In 13 Luke 23-25:

Someone asked him, " Lord, will only a few be saved?"

He replied, "Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail." [NLT]

Notice, Jesus said that we have to work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom. What does that mean? This means have I deny myself today and drag my cross? Have I put my sinful, self indulgence aside? Have I constrict myself so I can focus on God? Or am I following my own pride and wallowing freely on the board road?

The board road is full of people. In fact, we created religion to think that we will go to heaven by doing so. John MacArthur remarked, "what a shock will be for some people. On the other hand, the narrow way boards up. The board way narrows down to a pit."

I was riding my bike. On the way back home, I thought about a few things. My bank account have been going up and down for the past few weeks. I was thinking about how I can pay my bills when my tax income came in just in time. Praise the Lord.

I was thinking....would I rather worry about the lack of money and knowing full well I am storing heavenly treasures? Or would I strive for riches and not worry about where I will end up?

I will stick the narrow road. I will agonize with that knowing full well where I will end up. I will deny myself, take up my cross everyday and deny my sinful desire. I will be strong in faith and profess the truth. Even...(especially) at times when it is unpopular.

I had a discussion with a brother a while back.

I believe all of us, especially Christians, will have to make a choice on which road we will go on. To not make a choice is to make a choice. No one stumbles into the Kingdom of God. It is deliberate. It is focus. No one wanders around and enter the narrow gate.

In 13 Luke, Jesus continued to say, "When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Lord, open the door for us!' But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' Then you will say, 'But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' And he will reply, 'I tell you, I don't know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.' (v. 25-27) [NLT]

Jesus is talking some believers (Christians) who we share a meal with, whom we minister along side, will be deny. For some will choose the board road.

This is very similair to a conversation I had with a brother earlier in the week. We were discussing that there is a certain point in a Christian life where one must be a deliberate decision on following Christ 100% or not. I either give 100% or I don't.

This is not about the works (serving). This is about the attitude. Have I deny myself? Have I repent my sins? Have I stop self indulgence? Am I going to church for religious reasons or spiritual growth? Am I focus on growing spiritually? Or do I care more about the worldly ways (triahtlon, success, material goods, money etc)?