"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with
surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced
in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of
people do. The way to life-to God- is vigorous." (Matthew 7:13-14 MSG)
So what does it look like to travel this High Road? Well for starters, it's hard work. We will need to re-set how we think and act and we have to break free from believing the opinion of unbelievers and what they say is right and wrong, and look to God's word for direction. On the high road, the Bible points the way, and acts as our compass. "Thy word is a lamp for my feet, and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)
I'll site a few familiar scenarios, as we walk this lofty road because there is much to learn, and you can fill in the blanks with your own. Let's start with a tough one for all of us. Forgiveness. Most of us would rather hold onto a grudge than be the first to let go of a hurt. Yet the Bible is clear as to how we should respond when someone hurts us. "You are familiar with the old saying, 'Love your friend, hate your enemy.' God is challenging that. "I'm saying instead love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst." (Matthew 5:43-48 MSG) He also says, " Be kind and compassionate to each other, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) This kind of thinking and acting is alien to most people but its mandatory when you walk the higher moral ground.
Here is another saying that has caught on in our generation. "It's just a little white lie." Have you ever been tempted to fudge the truth? Maybe you added a little more backstory to make the gossip about your coworker more spicy. We might reason away the lie because to us it was just a slight deception. In reality a lie is a lie and is displeasing to God. In our day and age, lying is rarely called out but if your walking the narrow path 'little lies' are a big deal to our Heavenly Father. "You should not bear false witness against your neighbor." Exodus 20:16
Maybe you tend to linger on porn sites and rationalize your enjoyment with the excuse "What difference does it make, everybody does it". I think it has become clear that when we flirt with things that are spiritually wrong we get trapped in the devil's snare. "Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sexual desires, which wage war against your soul." ( 1 Peter 2:11)
So what is the bottom line here? What am I trying to share? In my own experience, it takes a lot of effort not to follow the crowd. Sometimes its down right confusing and frustrating when God's ways are so different from what we are used to doing and what everyone else says is okay. As I make this climb on the Narrow Road of life, I have to admit l fall down and miss the mark many times. Sometimes I'm down for months, other times I get back up immediately and take small steps back up the hill. The important thing to remember is we serve a loving and forgiving God who wants to help us succeed. God holds out his hand to pull us up every time we mess up so we can finish the climb. "We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
The High Road may look empty and lonely but there are many other Christians making this journey. If you are feeling alone in your struggles, reach out to someone you trust at church. Make the climb with other like -minded people. You might make some new friends along the way.
