Today's readings are Deuteronomy 4.1-20 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Deut.+4.1-20 ) and Matthew 7.13-29 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Matt.+7.13-29 ).
In Matthew's Gospel we read "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few (7.13-14, ESV)". What is our Lord and Savior saying here? Throughout the last two chapters Jesus has been calling people to greater, deeper obedience than they have ever imagined. He has been pointing out the inadequacy of the statues given to Moses, setting himself up as a new lawgiver. And his law cuts to the inmost thoughts and desires of people. Have you been angry with your brother? You are a murderer. Have you looked lustfully at a women? You are an adulterer. Jesus now tells us just how narrow the way of life is.
By this time in Jesus' teaching we are without hope. We cannot keep his law. He has crushed us. We are surely on the path to destruction. What is the way to enter the narrow gate? What must we do to be saved? How will we deliver ourselves from this life of evil? We crowd to the narrow gate and strive to enter, trying to keep our Lord's commands and seeing that we cannot do it. We are doomed. What must we do?
The fact is that we are asking the wrong question. What must we do? Believe in the Lord's righteousness, not in our ability to do anything of merit. Believe that the Lord has taken our sin upon himself and delivered us from the need to earn our own way to heaven. We don't do anything. Jesus has done it on our behalf. And he has shown us that we cannot do it. How does that hard way that leads to life go? We enter the gate and walk down the narrow way by believing, not by striving. The very hardest thing we can do to earn our salvation, as sinful people, is to allow someone else to earn our salvation and deliver it to us.
Lord, help my unbelief.
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