A Narrow Faith

Psalm 147:19 He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. 20 He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws. Praise the LORD.

God treated Israel differently than He treated all the other nations of the world. He gave them His laws, and in their giving, He required that Jacob obey. God required Israel to travel through the narrow gate.

Matthew 7:13 "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.

Many Christians are criticized for living what the world regards a too narrow life. According to the standards of the world, not seeing a certain movie or reading a certain book, not going to certain parties or behaving in certain ways are seen as behaviors that confine and restrict. Many times Christians are known as "kill joys".

But take heart, dear friend, if this is your lot. It is God who orders the Christian to walk the narrow way; it is not the Christian who determines his walk out of a narrow heart, as the world defines narrowness. To reject the "narrow" Christian faith is to reject Jesus, since nothing is more narrow in the world's eyes than the cross. Indeed, to reject the narrowness of the Christian faith is to reject the Bible and God Himself, since all His decrees are for the purpose of setting us apart from the world unto Himself. God's blessings are many to those who follow His "narrow" way!

Psalm 81:16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."

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Lord, forgive me for the times I cower before the criticisms and mockery of the world. I love Your law! Help me, Lord, to obey, because I know that You have the words of life, and You desire blessing and prosperity for me. Thank-You, Lord Jesus, for the narrowness of Your cross, for beyond it lies eternal life. In Your name, Amen.