Narrow Gate Series

Well, we’ve reached week three. Our next group of scriptures includes selfishness, hatred, and pride. It shows us how these sinful deeds widen the gap between unbelievers and God’s kingdom. Those wicked attitudes are signs of a hardened heart.

But, Christ stressed selflessness, love, and giving without expectations as the essence of God’s character. These holy attributes strengthen the bond with God.

The Wickedness of Selfishness

Jesus spoke these words:

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ ³⁹ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Matthew 5:38-42

In these five verses, Christ unleashed God’s disapproval with personal vengeance and selfishness. Jesus began with underscoring religious tradition. He showed true Christians respond to these circumstances with forgiveness, love, and selflessness. Harboring resentments, vendettas, and fighting conflicts cause spiritual death. And a threshold into the wide gate.

See, without Christ’s wisdom working through us, the narrow gate stays hidden. Why is that? The answer is Adam and Eves fall from God’s grace (Genesis 3). And God made Jesus the authoritarian on His truths. For this reason, those who God saves find a supernatural strength to follow this divine standard of living.

The Hateful Heart

Christ, then tackled hate.

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:43-45

God doesn’t tolerate hate. Jesus affirms God’s view on this despicable interaction between humans. Christ tells us loving those we abhor is what God wishes. But showing affection to those who antagonize us isn’t easy. No, our first reaction is to hate or despise them. We can’t achieve this holy command without a personal relationship with Jesus. Reliance on Christ leads to the narrow gate.

The interesting part is Christ declares praying for our enemies instead of hating them pleases God. Indeed, prayer works, and its powerful outcome proves God listens. He illustrates love and prayer make us God’s children. Jesus then unveils our Father’s fairness. Christ points out God controls justice for both believers and the unsaved souls.

Our Savior continues:

⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:46-48

Christ discloses holy love involves extraordinary action. He unmasks true love doesn’t stop with people we enjoy. Both verses elevate love to God’s divinity. Jesus commands us to go beyond our normal response and extend our love and kindness to humanity. And doing this shows others God’s incredible existence.

As noted above, these six scriptures capture the essence of salvation. They are virtues of God’s kingdom, both on earth and in heaven. Remember, we no longer live for ourselves. Our regenerated spiritual lives give testimony to Christ’s deity.

Unselfish Living

We end this week with Christ exposing prideful actions. He taught His disciples the art of selflessness.

Here’s what He said:

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. ² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

Matthew 6:1-2

Christ, in His holy wisdom, debunked the practice of self-glorification. He unlatched the evil behind, boasting. God opposes pride. In fact, Lucifer used it in heaven and God stripped his holy citizenship (Isaiah 14:12-14). Indeed, the wide gate is full of egotistical people. And people who continue placing themselves above God end up in eternal damnation.

Christ went on and said:

³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:3-4

Jesus ends with the truth behind selflessness. He clarifies giving to others without prideful motives pleases God. This act of altruism brings a holy reward enriched with God’s incredible Spirit. In my experience, sovereign giving places me in an exhilarating holy consciousness where I give thanks to God for allowing me the opportunity to serve others. And this union with Christ inspires me to continue seeking His infinite wisdom.

As seen, Christ separates the wide gate from the narrow. He shows selfishness, hate and pride come from Satan and are at odds with God. He proves love, prayer and selflessness come from God and are worthy of His glory.

Tune in next week for thoughts of prayer.

Peace be with you, my friends in Christ.