And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning herein fear: – 1 Peter 1:17
It’s been raining a lot in Barbados making my frequent travel on the road one of caution. The road conditions have worsened making travel difficult and in some areas there are breakaways.
Peter reminds us (Christians) we are on a spiritual journey. He urges the believers as we sojourn we should do so in awesome respect of God. The usage of the word sojourning highlights we are just temporarily residing here in this world and there is a journey we are taking for a permanent residence.
Peter further emphasized the point “we are just pilgrims passing through” 1 Pet. 2:11.
It is our Almighty Father who has created us and has placed us on a spiritual journey with a road map to heaven. As one song writer puts it “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through”.
The faithful Christian’s spiritual home and final residency is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
However, as we travel we must be careful to observe the path we take and the conditions of the path if we are to make it to heaven.
The Devil is raining down fiery darts at the faithful believers, making the journey more challenging. These darts affects our visibility, hampering the amount of light we normally see. We begin to see the gloom and darkness of this troubled world and not the light and hope of God. This is why it is important for us as Christians to be properly equipped and ready for the road conditions that maybe ahead of us (Ephesian 6:16)
Questions to ask ourselves as we are making the journey.
Is the path we’re on Broad?
Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. – Luke 13:24
The Broad Path requires no denying of self, commitment or faith in contrast to the narrow path, which Christians are called to take (Luke 9:23). It’s easy and is concerned only about satisfying what self thinks is right.
We must remember we are guided by a higher authority and it’s His way that will lead to life everlasting (John 14:6). Traveling the broad path is life in the fast lane! Pushing yourself to the edge in the pursuit of financial gain to the neglect of God. It can be considered the risky life, having no boundaries, pleasure-seeking and self gratification.
Is the path busy with traffic?
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. – Matt. 7:13
The narrow way will require some bending, shifting and not many are willing to make this sacrifice. So the traffic on the broad path to destruction will be filled with many. Be careful of the lifestyle of those who want to drink up, party and satisfy the desires of the flesh. The common mantra today of the world is ‘We have one life to live let’s live it anyway we feel’. Be careful of following the crowd as it chases after physical gratification, greed and extravagant lifestyles (1 John 2:16)
Is the path paved with only Good Intentions?
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.– James 4:17
Are you finding yourself with desires to do the right thing, promises of one day I will? Wishful thinking alone will not get us to heaven but the actual decisions we make day to day. While God desires within us a heart of Good Intent our Good Intentions should be based on what God wants for our lives. Jesus said our real love for him is manifested in our willingness to obey his instructions John 14:15.
Do I need to stop?
This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask which paths are the old, reliable paths. Ask which way leads to blessings. Live that way, and find a resting place for yourselves. – Jer. 6:16
We may have been traveling down a path for very long but it is never too late to stop and make a U-Turn if needed. Let us pause today and check our spiritual compass and see if we are on the right path.
Do our actions and attitudes demonstrate we are traveling in the direction God wants us?
Have we skidded off path in the midst of raining darts?
Are we choosing to let fear or pleasure-seeking allow us to stay with the crowd and not with the minority for Jesus?
The Lord wants us all to come to repentance and choose the correct path to heaven. (2 Pet. 3:9, 2 Cor. 7:10)