Only One Way to True Joy

Society at large may say I'm narrow minded.  Perhaps they would go so far as to say I'm a hater.  A certain segment of society these days considers anyone a fanatic, a radical, an extremist who takes a solid, uncompromising stand for anything.  We are intolerant.  Well, perhaps I am guilty of all of the above.
Being a Christian has never been about being popular, or blending in with society.  Real, honest-to-Jesus Christianity has always been radical, anti-social, life-changing, earth-shaking.

And when Christians dare to say that there is only ONE WAY to heaven, to life eternal with our Creator Savior, then some say we are getting downright offensive!  Some people lately have even called us dangerous, terroristic, criminal.

But this should come as no surprise to us!  Jesus promised us that this was the way society would react to us when we make the decision to follow Him.  Read what He told His disciples in John 15:18-20a (New American Standard Bible): 

  “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’  If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." 

Jesus is the One who told us that there is only one way that is acceptable to God.  He said in John 14:6 (21st Century King James Version):  "Jesus said unto him, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.'"

He also said, in Matthew 7:13-14 (Contemporary English Version):  "Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through that gate.  But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it."

So, if I am narrow minded, it is because my eyes and my heart are fixed only on Him who loved me so much that He gave His life for me.  If I am a hater, it is because I hate my own sin so much, knowing that it is my sin that separates me from a perfect, sinless, holy God and the joy and peace that only He can give.  If I am a fanatic, a radical, an extremist, it is because He has filled me with so much love for Him that it is impossible for me to contain it -- I must allow Him to flow through me, into every area of my life, influencing all my decisions, guiding me in every step I take.  If I am intolerant, it is because I cannot tolerate my own sin, my inadequacy to save myself, my inability to live the life He wants me to live without His help.

I hope and pray that you will join me as I walk the hard road, through the Narrow Gate who is Jesus Christ, the One who brings us to complete peace, joy, comfort, and an eternity with Himself.  My prayer for myself and for you this week is adapted from Psalm 1:1-3 (New American Standard Bible): 

Dear Jesus, (Bless me and the one reading this, help us to be those) who do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!  But (remind us to) delight in the law of the Lord, and in His law (help us to) meditate day and night.  (Cause us to) be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season.