ESOCS Devotional 1 December 2023 – The Narrow Gate
MEMORY VERSE: “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” Matthew 7: 13 -14 NLT
TEXT: MATTHEW 7: 13 – 21 (KJV)
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Our text is very specific on the only way to enter into God’s kingdom which is the narrow gate. There are two gates; one gate leads to hell and it’s broad which many find easily while the other gate is narrow and difficult and only a few ever finds it (vv. 13 – 14).
Some of the characters which are treading on the broad way which leads to hell include the false prophets which come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves (v 15) and those who call him Lord without doing his will (v 21).
Jesus admonishes us to ensure we bear good fruits in our lives especially by our lifestyle so that we will not be cut down. You shall be known by your fruits (vv. 16 -20).
The only way we can be part of those treading on the narrow way that leads to God’s Kingdom is when we produce good fruits and obey all of God’s instructions and walk in them.
Jesus loves you and doesn’t want you to perish so he admonishes you to come to him so that you can have life and have it more abundantly. Search your heart and ensure you are treading on the narrow path that leads to life.
- What fruits are you producing? Can heaven attest that you are bearing good fruit?
- Can you really say you are doing the will of the Father?
- Lord, help me to live for you every day of my life and grant me grace to be a doer of Your Word in Jesus name.
FURTHER READING: 1 Kings 19:1–8; Isaiah 40:3–8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-end
ESOCS Devotional 1 December 2023
