Pitfalls To Avoid In Kingdom Living - Disciple Makers Series #8نموونە
Watch out! The way is difficult.
Thoughts on the passage
The rest of chapter 7 is about four different warnings by Jesus. He takes time to warn His followers that some things will stop us from following Kingdom rules.
1) Watch out! God’s way is difficult. (7:13-14)
2) Watch out for false leaders! Their fruit shows who they are. (7:15-20)
3) Watch out! Doing good things without the Spirit is meaningless. (7:21-23)
4)Watch out! Obey the kingdom laws if you want your life rewarded. (7:24-28)
Watch out! God’s way is difficult.
Do not be confused. Simple repentance and faith is all that is needed to get to heaven, but it a very difficult journey to get there. Do not tell people that the way to heaven is easy. It is simple, but not easy. In fact, the easy road leads to eternal destruction and many people go that way.
It is not easy for many reasons.
1) People want the good things but don't want to pay the price for obedience.
2) People get upset because they feel God should accept other ways.
3) People cannot easily find the path. It can take a lot of work.
4) People just live life and do not focus on eternity, and they miss the road to heaven.
5) People get tied to their culture/beliefs and refuse to look at Jesus.
6) People wait and believe they have lots of time to look.
Jesus knows that many people will respond this way. It is not your fault if they choose the broad path. What should you do?
Keep letting your light shine brightly and let people see that there is a reason why the narrow way to heaven is worth the effort.
Time to Pray
Father, my journey to life started many years ago and I am still on that road. It has been hard sometimes and others times very hard. Still, You have always been with me, and I would not chose any other path. I also know that people get discouraged or sidetracked along the way. Help them I pray. Help me to be an encourager to them. Help me be a faithful light that shines on this path for all to see. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Scripture
About this Plan
Matthew writes to God’s people and walks them on a journey that will take them from where they are to be Disciple Makers. This is the 8th of 27 devotional plans walking us through the book of Matthew. The final kingdom teaching spells out the dangers and pitfalls that we must avoid. We then start to see Kingdom living in action.
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