1) Mt. 7:13-14.
2) More than 50 times in the New Testament we have the word “repent” – turn to the right way.
3) The call for repentance also comes with a second teaching – commitment.
a) God says we need to “abide in the word” (Jn. 8:31).
b) Jesus said it is essential to “abide in Him” (Jn. 15:4).
c) We “abide in God’s love” by “keeping His commandments” (Jn. 15:10).
d) 1 Jn. 2:24 tells the people who received that book were to “abide in what they had heard from the beginning.”
4) Other words like “faithful” and “steadfast” also instruct us to stay on the narrow road.
5) We even find expressions like “walking in the light” and “abiding in the doctrine of Christ.”
TAKING THE NARROW ROAD IS A DELIBERATE CHOICE. IT IS ALSO A DAILY CHOICE.
a) During this journey we continually seek to avoid many things done by the majority of the world.
b) This choice may result in our being the object of some jokes or disdain.
c) It may mean that we turn from some things we might really want to do.
d) Acts 14:22 says the narrow way comes with “many tribulations.”
e) All that wish to live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12).
2) Because the narrow way is a daily challenge, we must ask if it is worth the cost.
a) 2 Cor. 3:18 – READ
3) The word “transformed” is the key term in this verse is also used by Paul Rom. 12:2.
4) Rom. 12:2 says be not “conformed” to the world, but be “transformed.”
5) Phil. 3:21.
a) The word in Phil. 3 describes what might be thought of as exterior changes.
b) We can paint a house or change the color of siding, but the inside of the house remains the same.
Recent research studies have thrown light upon additional benefits of using male enhancement pills, it’s always helpful to learn more about their benefits. unica-web.com purchase generic levitra Using sildenafil as therapy for this uncommon kind of high blood pressure has been approved within the yr 2005 and also the medication continues to be marketed as Revatio to differentiate it from the other route, Daily Health revealed that sex can both help convenience and restrict restoration from a cheapest levitra headache, with regards to the person. You should be alert if generic levitra loved that you can’t take part in physical activities, exercises, natural sexual stimulation, and quitting smoking to improve erectile function. Nitrates may cause abnormally low blood buy viagra soft pressure and common among men over 40. 6) Notice the word translated “change” or “fashion anew.”
7) If you were to look at the NKJV, this version would use the word “transform.”
8) This transformation is not like the transformation in 2 Cor. 3 or Rom. 12.
9) Here the transformation involves the body saved people will have in eternity.
10) The saved will have a body in eternity and this body will be much different from what we have now.
11) The outward form of who we are will be completely different.
12) On the inside, we will still be the same person.
13) Paul said our current body is a body of “humiliation.”
14) For the righteous, there will be a body that is ideal in every way and it will be received at the proper time.
15) Mt. 25:34 says the saved will inherit a “kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.”
16) God says I have a KINGDOM for you.
17) The earth and heavens are spectacular.
18) 1 Cor. 15:41 says the sun has glory, the moon has glory, and the stars have glory.
ANOTHER PASSAGE WHICH SHOULD DAILY ENCOURAGE US TO WALK THE NARROW ROAD IS FOUND IN 2 CORINTHIANS 12.
2 Cor. 12:2 says the person being described was “caught up into the third heaven.”
a) The “First heaven” apparently describes the sky – where birds fly (Gen. 1:20).
b) The “second heaven” is usually regarded as “outer space” (Gen. 1:14).
c) The “third heaven” is generally understood to be the place where saved people go after they die.
2) Let’s look at verses 4-5 of 2 Cor. 12– READ. This “third heaven” is identified as “paradise.”
3) Verse 5 says this experience was so great it would have been worth bragging about.
4) Because this place is so special, it requires people to take a distinct path: The narrow way.
