Could Your “Jesus” Be the Broad Way?
Does that title make you scratch your head? That is actually a quote from MacArthur and it really does ring true.
What do I mean by that? Well, today, there are many people who think that they are living their lives for Jesus. They said a prayer, signed a card, walked an isle at an evangelistic meeting one time, but their lives have not been changed. They never saw their sin for what it was, a terrible offense to a perfectly holy God. They never saw their need for repentance. They never knew that there would be a cost to follow Christ. Of course they could have found out all about that if they had read their Bible, but they never took the time. They had figured that the pastor had done all the necessary study so they did not need to bother with it.
If they had been reading they might have seen that passage in Matthew 7 where those people would call out “Lord, Lord!” thinking they were saved only to hear “Depart from me. I never knew you!”
In their case “Jesus” was the broad way. They did not find the true Jesus who said that if you set your hand to the plow and look back you were unworthy of Him.
Are you following the true Jesus? The Jesus that brings about change in your life? The Jesus that causes you to hate your sin? The Jesus that is not only your Savior but your Lord? Read your Bible and find out.
Soli Deo Gloria
wow- this is what i’m thinking about in my head like all the time recently and it’s very scary. would someone like to talk more about this?
It is a scary thought indeed. That is why Paul tells us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith.
how is this possible without becoming legalistic and counting up our present sins…keeping tally… feeling guilty– you know… ? I think you know what I mean. Gosh I have so many thoughts and questions on this topic/theology/Calvinism etc. I guess we could start there if you can expound your thoughts and scripture on it— how to walk in the Spirit and live in Grace, yet not become judgemental and legalistic.
Remember, as far as keeping track of sins, we could not possibly keep count of them all! That is why Christ had to lay down an infinite sacrifice for us. This, of course, does not mean that we can just sin because it has been paid for, obviously. Good works for the Christian are now an evidence that they are saved not the means of salvation. Christians are to be growing in the direction of holiness (not perfection). Examine to see if you sin less and hate sin more.
Lastly, are you in a Bible-preaching church? Reading your Bible? Praying? These are necessary to the Christian life.