Monday, 3/2/20 – Pressing on…

Roadsigns

I can’t remember where exactly it was that we were headed but I do remember the journey. We were following along the prescribed route on, lets say highway 550 (I don’t remember). Anyway, we kept going many kilometers then realized the far too sparsely placed highway signs were indicating something quite different, highway 675 we’ll say.

But, since we had entered on highway 550 and driven on the same roadway all along, we took confidence in this and pressed on. It was not till we reached a town obviously a significant distance apart from our true destination that we realized somehow, somewhere, we had strayed! Tracing back we discovered that indeed for a while highways 550 and 675 shared the same roadway but farther down the true highway 550 veered right while the 675 slowly veered left.

You see my point: the fact that you intend to get to a certain destination is not enough, nor is it sufficient that you began on the correct roadway. What is essential is that you stay on the correct path… the narrow one of course, which by now I’m sure you’ve figured out!

Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14).

Paul marveled at the Galatians, “I am surprised you are leaving Christ so soon. You were chosen through His loving-favor. But now you are turning and listening to another kind of good news. No! There is not another kind of good news.” (Gal. 1:6-7 NLT).

“Abide in Me,” says Jesus. That means “stay put!” Don’t waver. Keep checking your heart.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves…” (2 Cor. 13:5) writes Paul “Make every effort to confirm your calling and election…” echoes Peter (1 Pet. 10:10).

The essential thing is not what you once ‘did.’ The essential thing is where are you now?

Actually, on the path to heaven none of us can be the driver. We must give the wheel to Jesus… surrender it all. It’s His car now anyway. I know you can do this. As the unknown author of Hebrews states, “Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case…” (Heb. 6:9).

Listen to your heart. Whatever Christ is telling you to do, do it.

“The symbol of the Christian Church is not a burning bush, nor a dove, nor an open book, nor a halo round a submissive head, nor a crown of splendid honour. It is a cross.” – C.M. Clow

More tomorrow…

To hear Pastor Andrew’s complete message, go to the Lincoln Baptist Church website and look under ‘Sermons Online’ for the Mar. 1 message.