The narrow way

The Narrow way many Christians do not even know what that truly means. Most just ingore it figuring that since they go to church they are walking the Narrow way. When in reality many do not walk this path out of fear or simply just to fit in but we are called to walk this path. We walk off of it for a few minutes we are off the path and outside of God's will. 

Matthew 7 13-14 

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Now how do we stay on this path let alone find it. Well I think Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship said it best.

“To be called to a life of extraordinary quality, to live up to it, and yet to be unconscious of it is indeed a narrow way. To confess and testify to the truth as it is in Jesus, and at the same time to love the enemies of that truth, his enemies and ours, and to love them with the infinite love of Jesus Christ, is indeed a narrow way. To believe the promise of Jesus that his followers shall possess the earth, and at the same time to face our enemies unarmed and defenceless, preferring to incur injustice rather than to do wrong ourselves, is indeed a narrow way. To see the weakness and wrong in others, and at the same time refrain from judging them; to deliver the gospel message without casting pearls before swine, is indeed a narrow way. The way is unutterably hard, and at every moment we are in danger of straying from it. If we regard this way as one we follow in obedience to an external command, if we are afraid of ourselves all the time, it is indeed an impossible way. But if we behold Jesus Christ going on before step by step, we shall not go astray.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

See the only way to follow the narrow path is to follow Jesus and his teaching. To follow his example in everything.

We are not called to be Ronin

For those who do not know Ronin are Samurai without a master. Usually killed in a blood feud between kings. Why I am even talking about this is because many Christians live like they as well do not have a master. They live like the rules that are set up in the New Testament do not apply to them. They live like Christ was never there Lord whether they hate others for different opinion or just because they sinned a sin they think is evil when God see us all as guilty. They Judge while forgetting that they are not the true judge.

First thing is first if you truly believe the Holy Bible is the word of God you would not be picking and choosing which rule to follow and which to ingore. You would not be saying well I know Paul talks about it a lot but Jesus never did so it must be okay with him. Well I know Jesus preached peace 100% but the one time Jesus mentions buying sowards must mean we must take arms against the government. While in reality when you pick and choose what to follow and what not to you miss the point of the whole thing.

Proverbs 30:5-6

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

Revelation 22:19 

And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share
in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Now for people who add things or read into things. Like Socialist and Marxist who claim Jesus hates rich people but in reality he was not even talking about being rich or on the other side who thinks Jesus would have an AK in one hand and a rocket launcher in the other instead of being a Warrior of Peace.  Yes Jesus said the thing about the camel and needle. Yes Jesus said that he disciples to sell their belongings to buy to swords. What both sides do not realize that he is talking about spiritual things not earthly. He is not talking about wealth or taking arms what he is talking about following him only not money. What he is talking about being prepared for attacks from Satan not taking up arms.

Now for those who judge people outside of Church. What are you doing? That is not our call to make. Yes we are to bring the word of God to people but not to force it on people.

Matthew 10:14  If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.

And then when they say no we are not to judge or force them to follow our rules.

1 Corinthians 5:12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?

See we are not called to judge others on the outside looking in but ourselves on the inside looking out. It is why many see us as hypocrites because we claim to be followers but yet we do not follow Jesus the way Jesus told us we must. We tell others do not marry another man because you are a man as well. While at the same time we are having sex outside of Marriage. We say well the government cannot steal money from the hard working CEO but yet we steal the supplies from work.

Finally those who think the rules do not apply to them. They think well I am saved I do not need these rules anymore. Well think again. If you truly love someone one would you do things to upset them? No most people would not but then we take a different way of thinking when it comes to Jesus. We say well I love Jesus but I am going to act like he never existed and live the way I want.

The reason for this article is not to bash but to warn if you keep living your life like Jesus is not there. If you keep living life like a Ronin then you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus himself said so.

Matthew 7:21-23  “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!’

Muslims are not the enemy terrorist are.

I keep hearing that all Muslims are the same. That they all hate this country Jews Israel freedom and Christians. While it may be the case with radicals in the Middle East but not here in this country. Sure you have the lone wolf terrorist who sets bombs shoot people or cut people's heads off but most are not like that. Most hate terrorist as much as any non muslim. Much cannot stand the barbarism of ISIS  Al Qaeda and many others who kill in the name of their God. Most of them believe Islam is a religion of peace and would not lift a hand against another human being.

People claim that no Muslim is standing up against these terrorist but where is this information coming from? The media who automatically go to the radicals every time they open their big mouths and not to the everyday Muslim. People like Dr. Zuhdi Jasser who is a Muslim who speaks out against Terrorism and a good friend of mine who will remain nameless also speaks out against terrorism and while disagrees with my views as a Christian will defend my right to believe in Jesus as Lord and savor. We need to stop painting Muslims with the blood of terrorist victims and look at the terrorist for who the truly are. Think about this way. How many times do we have to hear that The Westboro Baptist is Christianity or Hitler was a Christian. Any Christian knows they are about as Christian as Satan and his demon hoard but yet we do not like being painted with the Nazis or Westboro. I think it is high time to stop this war on all muslims and just go after the idiots still fighting the crusade in the Middle East before it comes here. So I leave you with the Words of Dr. Zuhdi Jasser to chew on.