| May 9, 1999 |
Vol. II, No. 2
|
Just south of Mt. Rushmore, US highway 16A makes it's ascent into the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Called the Norbeck Byway, the road twists its way up through narrow one lane tunnels carved out of granite. When compared to most other roads in our country, the Norbeck Byway is not easy to travel. While traveling up a steady climb, one must negotiate the switch-back curves, deal with on-coming traffic on a narrow road, and watch out for wildlife that might cross the road. But the view at the top is worth it! At it's highest point, one is able to take on a magnificent view of the Hills.
In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus explains that the road to heaven is not the most easy to travel. Jesus said that when compared with the world, few will make it to the final destination. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." We must make it our top priority to find heaven. If we miss heaven, we have missed it all! Jesus wants those who seek Him to know that no one is going to "coast" into heaven. It will take effort. It will mean we will have to be alert as to what is going on in our lives. It will mean sacrifice. But the reward at the end is worth more than all the effort one made to get there. But since all who read this are still traveling toward that destination, here are some travel tips in getting there.
Don't look off the road. If not careful, while traveling US 16A, one can be so mesmerized by the view of the mountains that he can run off the road...Not that your author would ever do that. : ) In several places on the road, it is a long way down off to the side. Likewise the road to heaven is filled with the view of the world and what Christians have left behind. If one gives attention to these things, then focus is lost and the danger of running off the spiritual road is great. Demas is one who ran off the spiritual road. Paul wrote in 2 Tim. 4:10, for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica...Running off the spiritual road can be dangerous. We do not know if Demas ever got back on it. Jesus wants Christians to stay focused upon heaven. In Lk. 9:62 He said, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." We must not lose our focus! What kept Paul going through his many trials? Focus upon the goal. He told the Philippians, Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:13-14) Keep your eyes on the road at all times!
The road is slippery when wet. Who has not seen the signs along our highways that depict a car sliding off the road during rain? US 16A is no different in that regard. During rainy conditions drivers must be cautious. While traveling upon the spiritual road one must be prepared for the stormy trials of life. Often, trials seem to rain down. Instead of being washed out, or sliding off the road let us use the Word of God to strengthen us. The Scriptures warn us that the trials will come, perhaps by temptation, persecution, or physical suffering. Jesus said in Jhn. 16:33, In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Let us place our trust in Christ. He overcame, and through Him we can overcome! With Christ - there is hope!
The road is one way so be prepared. In many places, US 16A is one way in direction. In those areas, it is illegal to turn around and go the opposite direction. The road to heaven is one way in nature. Heaven can only be reached by going down the road that Jesus Christ has established. Since there is no other direction in which to proceed, one must be prepared to make a commitment to Christ for the long term. Jesus Himself told the church at Smyrna to Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. If we turn around and go the other way we will be unpleasing to Christ and we cannot expect to reach heaven.
Take advantage of these travel tips. Keep them fresh in your mind. The goal of heaven is obtainable and you can find it. The road to heaven is not that easy, but the effort put forth to get there is worth it!
--Matt Allen via Southside Messenger
When Jesus sent the apostles out on what is sometimes called the limited commission to preach to the lost sheep of Israel. He told them, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you" (Matt. 10:16-20).
Perhaps there are many lessons that might be gleaned from these verses, but we want to center our attention on the nature of the inspiration the apostles received from the Spirit of God. Notice that when they spoke by Divine inspiration, it was not necessary for them to plan ahead what they would say, or how to say it. The Holy Spirit was to reveal to them, not only some vague thoughts, but the precise words they were to speak.
This corresponds with the teachings of the apostle Paul concerning inspiration in 1 Corinthians, chapter two. In verses 8-9 of that chapter, Paul indicates that those who crucified Christ did not and could not know the details of the marvelous gospel because God had not yet made those details known. However, Paul then indicates that since the crucifixion, "God has revealed them to us through His Spirit." That is, Paul and the other inspired men had been selected to receive these revelations from God, and those same men were in the process of preaching and writing those truths for the benefit of mankind in general. Paul writes in verses 12 and 13 of that chapter, "We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." The American Standard translation renders that last phrase, "combining spiritual things with spiritual words." God did not just reveal to them some vague thought and leave them to grope with how to put that thought across. God gave them the exact words they were to preach and write.
Further, in Eph. 3:3-4, Paul indicates that when we read what he wrote, we can know what he knew about Christ and His gospel. We commend that gospel to you. Read it, believe it, obey it, and be blessed by it.
--CRJ
The trouble with the guy who talks too fast is that he often says something he hasn't thought of yet.