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May 10, 2006

Repentance
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death (Jer
21:8). Matthew 7:13-14, “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: Because strait
is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Your journey in this life is a walk on one of two possible ways or paths – the broad way
or the narrow way. These paths are completely contrary to one another and go in totally
opposite directions. The narrow way must be entered through a gate, which is Jesus
Christ. You are led on this way by the Holy Spirit toward eternal life which is found only
in God. This narrow path is traveled by few and leads to restoration and reconciliation
with God (Ps 23:3, 69:4, Rm 5:1, Eph 2:14-16, Col 1:20). The broad way is led by the
devil unto eternal destruction or death (second death, Rev 20:14, 21:8). This path leads
away from the Lord to complete separation from God and the life that is only in Him.

These two ways could be thought of as a road whereby one walks one way or the other.
Each step one takes in their intended and chosen direction is one step further away from
the other direction. What is particularly noteworthy is that you freely “choose” your way
or direction. This choice is not mental, but is rather manifested through actions.
The Spirit leads through your
surrender and obedience to
Jesus the will of God
is the
door

X
You are here
- choose- Path of life
The devil leads through the Way of
lusts and desires of the flesh righteousness
In the Garden of Eden, the devil appealed to man to
seek the desires of his flesh over the commandment of God
(Gen 2:17, 3:1-5). Satan told man that he could transgress the will
of God and “ye shall not surely die” (Gen 3:4). The devil lied (Jn 8:44)! Lies
are told for the intent to deceive! The absolute eternal truth is that obedience to the
will of God results in life and disobedience to the will of God results in death (Gen 2:17,
the soul that sinneth, it shall die – Ez 18:4, 20). God is the source of all life (Gen 2:7, Is
42:5, Job 33:4, Ps 100:3, Jn 5:26). The Lord gives life and sustains life (Job 12:10, Ps
104:29). To remove or separate yourself from God is to choose death over life (Pv 8:36,
11:19, 12:28, Is 59:2). The devil promised life, but leads in the way of death – he
deceives (opposite of the way of life, Heb 2:14, Rev 12:9, 20:10).

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Satan led man to trust in a lie (Jer 28:15, 29:31)! The devil taught rebellion against God
(Jer 28:16, 29:32)! Satan savourest (to hold valuable) not the things that be of God (Mk
8:33). The devil leads on the broad way. The devil teaches man to seek his desires and
thereby transgress the will of God – to place self over God – to be as a god (Gen 3:5).

Man is weak through the flesh and this is where the devil tempts (Mt 26:41). The devil
leads man through the lusts and desires of the flesh. The broad way appeals to the flesh
(pleasant to the eyes, to be desired, Gen 3:6), yet all that glitters is not gold. That which
seems to please or be desirable is ultimately unfulfilling and leaves a bitter taste that
cannot be satisfied. True contentment, fulfillment and satisfaction will only be found in
the Lord your Creator.

The Lord gives those who walk in His narrow way the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God
leads man in the truth (which is God’s Word)! The Spirit teaches man to obey God! In
order to obey God, there must be a lessening of self – your will must submit/yield to
God’s will.

So, the path Satan leads on is contrary to the path the Lord leads on. These are opposite
positions just as a lie is opposite of the truth. Thus these ways or paths go in opposite
directions. You cannot walk one way and yet still be found in the other way – they are at
complete odds. Therefore, you choose your path and walk in its principles. Distinct fruits
will result in your life based upon the principles you follow. There are distinct fruits of
the Spirit and opposite and distinct fruits of the flesh (to be discussed). Jesus said:
Matthew 7:20, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” What our lives produce
(the fruit) will reveal which path we are traveling. Even so, there is much blindness,
confusion, and deception involved on the broad way.

There will be two resurrections! John 5:29, “And shall come forth; they that have done
good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of
damnation.” Each path has a master and you follow that master where he will go. Jesus
leads those who have done good unto God the Father and eternal life in His kingdom. The
devil leads those who have done evil unto the second death and eternal damnation – for
this is where he goes. Revelation 20:10, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into
the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be
tormented day and night for ever and ever.” AND Matthew 25:41, “Then shall he say also
unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for
the devil and his angels.”

Man disobeyed God’s commandment and incurred the Lord’s penalty of “thou shalt
surely die (Gen 2:17).” Man is naturally traveling a broad path that leads to death and
destruction. Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity (Ps 39:5, 53:2-3). The
imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth (Gen 8:21). The broad way is easy for
the flesh and the narrow way is difficult (impossible) for the flesh. In other words, if you
desire the things of this world (1 Jn 2:15-17), it is not possible for you to walk the narrow
way.

The Lord tellsus: Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your
God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” All men, by their

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corrupted nature, have transgressed the will of God. Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one
man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for
that all have sinned.” - - Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory
of God.” Verily, verily (of a truth, count on it, fact) to obey God is to live and to disobey
God is to die. This is an eternal fact proven throughout God’s Word and this truth you can
be assured of.

God in His manifold mercy has offered man a second chance. Isaiah 1:18, “Come now,
and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Man could be
restored through sincere and genuine repentance (entering through Jesus, the strait
gate/door) and a walk of faith along the narrow way. For this to happen, man must die to
his old nature and be “born again” unto God (Jn 3:3). The corrupted nature cannot be
reformed – it must die (be totally forsaken). Man must be re-created with God’s nature as
before the fall of man in Eden. But what does this mean? It means that God writes His
commandments into your heart and mind (Heb 8:10, 10:16) such that you desire to live in
His will from the very heart. Your desire is no longer for the lusts and desires of the flesh
– seeking your own will (to be as a god, Gen 3:5).

True faith must be offered freely from the heart – not begrudgingly under compulsion of
law. In doing so, you will truly know God and the Lord says: Hebrews 8:12, “For I will
be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no
more (also Heb 10:17).” This is not God looking the other way concerning future
sin/iniquity (Rm 6:18) – you are no longer to be led of the flesh, but rather by God’s
Spirit (Rm 8:1, 5-8, 14). In other words (see illustration), you no longer walk in the way
of wickedness, but rather in the way of righteousness.

You freely choose the path that you walk. Romans 6:13, “Neither yield ye your members
as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that
are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
AND Romans 6:16, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his
servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto
righteousness?” In other words, you are either a servant to the devil (on the broad way) or
to Jesus Christ (on the narrow way). To be “alive from the dead” is to be “born again.”

Those who are “born again” unto God are not under the law because they are a law unto
themselves (Rm 2:14). Those who are pure in heart seek to do what is right irregardless if
there is a law telling them to. They do righteousness by nature. For through the law they
are dead to the law, that they might live unto God (Gal 2:19). 1 Timothy 1:9, “Knowing
this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for
the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and
murderers of mothers, for manslayers.” The law is not of faith (Gal 3:12). The law
compels (forces) servitude to God. Faith is offered to God freely from the heart. In both
cases the Lord’s commandments must be obeyed, however, only obedience through free-
will love is acceptable to God.

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The just shall live by faith (Hab 2:4, Rm 1:17, Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38, 11:6). You live for
God in everything that you do. Faith is a coming to God – trust and dependence upon
God for all things – a devotion to God (Mt 12:21). God responds positively to those who
approach Him in such a way. Consider this fact in those who approached Jesus as detailed
in the four gospels (Mt, Mk, Lk, and Jn). Man was/is being offered the opportunity by
God to change directions and return unto to God.

Repentance is a change of direction – to go opposite of the way in which you are


heading. This could only be done through Jesus Christ, God’s Son (Jn 3:16). John 14:6,
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.” Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” There is no by-
passing or excluding the strait gate!

Notice from the illustration above, that Jesus is “The Way” to God. Jesus is the truth of
God and gives us life. 1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us
eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not
the Son of God hath not life.” So it can be stated: 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam
all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Proverbs 12:28, “In the way of
righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.” If you are following
the flesh (your will/way), then you are following the devil on the broad way to death.

The lead-in verses tell us that we must enter through the strait gate. Jesus is this strait
gate or door. John 10:7, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I
am the door of the sheep.” Verily means of a truth and certainty. He calleth his own sheep
by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before
them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice (Jn 10:3-4). Those who are
Christ’s follow Him, by His Spirit, along the narrow way.

So to repent would be to recognize that you are going the wrong direction, forsake the
direction you are heading in, turn around and then walk in the opposite direction. Thus
saith the LORD of hosts; “Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto
you, saith the LORD of hosts (Zech 1:3).” AND “Return unto me, and I will return unto
you, saith the LORD of hosts (Mal 3:6).” Psalms 80:19, “Turn us again, O LORD God of
hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.”

Consider strongly that this takes an action on your part. Isaiah 55:7, “Let the wicked
forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the
LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly
pardon.” Once again, consider from the diagram above that to change directions and walk
the other way requires that you forsake everything that is to be found in the direction that
you are abandoning. This is a dying to the way in which you were walking and an
embracing of the new direction that you are now headed. To obtain one, you must forsake
the other. To gain one, you lose the other. To go one way you lose or forsake everything
from the opposite way. Matthew 10:39, “He that findeth his life (your way, what you
desire) shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

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You forsake the evil, turn, and embrace God’s Word or truth. Psalms 119:101, “I have
refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.” You cannot follow
the way of evil and still abide in God’s way (truth, Word) – its an impossibility.

Let us more fully consider what has just been said. Repentance begins with being poor in
spirit and seeking God. One sincerely seeks to know if the way in which they are walking
in life is the correct way. Perhaps this frame of mind is arrived at through difficulties or
afflictions in one’s life. One can only consider that they may be wrong through
humbleness of mind – he considereth his way. Lamentations 3:40, “Let us search and try
our ways, and turn again to the LORD.”

Conversely, Psalms 10:4, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not
seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” AND Proverbs 18:2, “A fool hath no
delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself (realize/obtain its way).”
The proud/foolish/wicked walk contrary to the dictates of wisdom. They do not fear God
or depart from evil (i.e. the way of the wicked, Job 28:28, Pv 16:6).

Just where are you heading in this life? Proverbs 4:26, “Ponder the path of thy feet, and
let all thy ways be established.” Haggai 1:7, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider
your ways (also Hag 1:5).” Proverbs 4:19, “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they
know not at what they stumble.” God tells us that our ways are not His ways (Is 55:8).
The Lord says: “Amend your ways and your doings (Jer 7:3).”

Ponder the path of life (Pv 5:6). Whoso findeth Me findeth life (Pv 8:35). Remove thy
foot from evil (Pv 4:27); cease to do evil (Is 1:16). I lead in the way of righteousness (Pv
8:20). Psalms 128:1, “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his
ways.” Learn to do well (Is 1:17). Psalms 25:4, “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me
thy paths.” Hosea 14:9, “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and
he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them:
but the transgressors shall fall therein.”

God ponders the ways of man (Pv 5:21). One day the God will render/recompense to
every man according to His ways: Jeremiah 17:10, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the
reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his
doings.” Consider from the diagram above that one way produces life and the other way
produces death. You are either following God’s ways or you are not – its just that simple;
one or the other.
God Appeals to Rebellious Man

The Lord God is the giver and sustainer of life (Is 42:5). Isaiah 45:22, “Look unto me,
and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” AND
Isaiah 46:12-13, “Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted (stubborn minded), that are far from
righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation
shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.” You must be saved
from the corruption of the devil’s lie (not be found therein). God is going to forever
destroy such wickedness from all His creation.

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Jesus said: Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and
lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden
is light (also Zach 9:9).” We must be lowly of heart, which is to be lacking (empty, void)
of self. This is how you approach unto God. Jesus desires that you come to Him because:
Matthew 18:11, “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” To be lost is to
be going the wrong direction and wandering from “The Way.” Christ wants to turn you
around, but will not force your will (see illustration). If you come to Him, the Lord
rejoices (Mt 18:12:13).

It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that any should perish (Mt 18:14, 2 Pt
3:9). Unfortunately many will not heed this call. Jesus said of them: John 5:40, “And ye
will not come to me, that ye might have life.” Your life (next breath, next heartbeat, Zech
12:1) comes from God, it would be foolish to think that you have life within self – apart
from God. “Come to me” means walk the narrow way that leads to God. “Will not come
to me” means to walk away from God on a broad way. Those that perish do so of their
own will (the seeking of such).

God states: “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked;
but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for
why will ye die (Ez 33:11).” AND Ezekiel 18:23, “Have I any pleasure at all that the
wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and
live?” This is God’s call for repentance!

The wicked are those who walk contrary to God’s will (in the way of wickedness). Those
who walk in their way (seeking self) despise God’s way (Pv 14:2). Consider Christ’s
message: Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Consider the diagram above: if you are headed in the
way of the wicked, then you must turn 180 degress around and go opposite along the way
that leads to life – to the kingdom of heaven. Ezekiel 18:27-28, “Again, when the wicked
man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is
lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away
from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die
(also Ez 33:16, 19).”

Conversely: Ezekiel 18:24, 26, “But when the righteous turneth away from his
righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that
the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be
mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in
them shall he die. When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and
committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die
(also Ez 33:12-13, 18).” From the diagram above: if you turn from the way of the Lord to
the way of wickedness, then your new destination is death.

God’s consistent message to man is: “Repent, and turn yourselves from all your
transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin (Ez 18:30).” Zechariah 1:3-4, “Therefore
say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of

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hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. Be ye not as your fathers, unto
whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye
now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken
unto me, saith the LORD.”

Consider God’s reply after Solomon had dedicated the temple: 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my
people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my
face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin, and will heal their land.” Notice the process: humbleness, seeking God,
forsaking evil and then God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness cannot be granted until
wickedness is forsaken.

The prophets spoke repentance; John the Baptist spoke repentance (Mt 3:8, 11, Mk 1:4,
Lk 3:3); Jesus spoke repentance (Mt 4:17, Mk 2:17, Lk 5:32, 13:3, 5); the disciples spoke
repentance (Mk 6:12); Peter spoke repentance (Acts 2:38, 3:19); and Paul spoke
repentance (Acts 17:30, 26:20). Before Jesus ascended unto the Father (having been
raised from the dead), He gave commandment concerning His will: Luke 24:47, “And
that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem.” All of Christ’s true followers will be speaking of repentance.
Therefore: Ezekiel 18:32, “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the
Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”

Just how does one approach or come unto Jesus? The answer is found in the first four
“blessed” statements from Christ’s Sermon on the Mountain. Matthew 5:3-6, “Blessed
are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for
they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are
they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
Poor in Spirit

To be poor in spirit would be to recognize your inabilities and limitations and your great
need for God. Realizing that you are nothing, have nothing and can do nothing. This is an
emptying the heart of self such that Christ may fill it. This is the opposite of pride. This is
a setting aside of self, a self-loathing, a self rejection in all respects, a casting away all
hope in yourself, all self dependence, all trust in our own wisdom (knowledge) or
righteousness, or your efforts of being good, and everything else which is your own.

Only at this point can you acknowledge that Christ is the only possible hope for your
helpless condition. Once you begin to look beyond “self” then you can begin to seek
God. When you can genuinely come to this place, God can teach and lead you and thus
you can become a member of the kingdom of heaven. Therefore it can be confidently
stated: Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Being poor in spirit is a humble frame of mind that one must have to approach God and
truly receive of Him. When John the Baptist sent messangers to make sure Jesus was the
Christ, one of the things Jesus said to tell John was: “the poor have the gospel preached to
them (Mt 11:5).” The “poor” are not so much those lacking in goods as they are those
who are humble and meek in heart. However, the poor are often humble and the rich are

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often proud. The things of God are hid from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto
babes (Mt 11:25).

Many come to the Lord as the result of some tradgedy or bad circumstance in their life.
The Lord says: “in their affliction they will seek me early (Hos 5:15).” - and this is oh so
true! God works through the situations and circumstances in our lives to bring us to the
correct “humble” frame of mind. It is only when our focus is off of self and onto God that
such change (repentance) can take place.

The Lord humbles you such that you recognize your own evil ways, and that your doings
are not good, and that you lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for
your abominations (Ez 36:31). This is so that you will repent and turn to God. Many
wonder why God allows bad things to happen to them. Often, this is God’s mercy toward
you. The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance (Rm 2:4, also 2 Pt 3:9). Most live
their lives concerned about the temporal – the here and now. God’s concerns are eternal.
God brings you to the place to seek His mercy so that you will not perish in the
condemnation. Mercy rejoiceth against judgment (Js 2:13). Seeking God and
acknowledgment of faults must precede mercy.

Therefore: Hosea 10:12-13, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up


your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness
upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of
lies (the devil’s great lie): because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy
mighty men.” You are headed in the way of wickedness (see diagram), a self-serving
way, as led of the devil in the tenets of his lie (you’ve bought into the lie) – after the lusts
of the flesh. This way separates you from God and you must turn around. Joel 2:13, “And
rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is
gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness ...” For the ways of the LORD
are right, and the just shall walk in them (Hos 14:9). Multitudes are in the valley of
decision (Joel 3:14) – turn ye, turn before you perish.
Seeking God

You reach out to the Lord with all of your heart. Psalms 105:4, “Seek the LORD, and his
strength: seek his face evermore.” AND James 4:8, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw
nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
Jesus said: Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” In other words, seek the Lord fully
and completely. Jesus also said: Luke 13:24, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for
many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” To strive is to put forth
great effort, to realize your purpose.

The Lord further tells us: Proverbs 8:17, “I love them that love me; and those that seek
me early shall find me.” AND Proverbs 8:35, “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and
shall obtain favour of the LORD.” Acts 17:27, “That they should seek the Lord, if haply
they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.”

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The Lord reveals that if you search for Him with all of your heart, then you shall find
Him (Jer 29:13). Therefore: Isaiah 55:6, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call
ye upon him while he is near.” Lamentations 3:25, “The LORD is good unto them that
wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” The Lord is offering you mercy from His
condemnation. The Lord is offering eternal life rather than separation and death. The
Lord is offering to bring you back to the tree of life as before the fall and corruption of
man (Rev 2:7, 22:14). If you believe that the first man, Adam, chose wrong, then here is
your opportunity to choose that which is right. You have before you the same choice;
choose whom ye will serve.

You must realize the worth/value. Matthew 13:44, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like
unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy
thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” Once you realize the
value of the kingdom of heaven, there is nothing you will value more. You will seek
first/foremost the kingdom of God, and His righteousness (Mt 6:33). If you are not
actively doing this, then you have not realized the value.

It all comes down to this: Those who love the Lord will seek Him. Those who do not love
the Lord will seek the thing they love.
God’s Word (Truth)

The Lord is best understood (although not exclusively) through His written Word. The
verse above (Js 4:8) said to purify your heart. The Lord sanctifies and cleanses with the
washing of water by the word (Eph 5:26). 2 Timothy 3:15-17, “And that from a child
thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That
the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” If the heart is
pure, then the actions must surely follow.

The Lord further says: Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my
mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it
shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” God’s Word has its intended affect on those
who read it and sincerely take it to heart. The Lord will bring you to the knowledge of the
truth. 1 Timothy 2:4, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth.” Seeking God is hungering and thirsting after such righteousness
and Jesus said that such would be filled (Mt 5:6).
Mourning

Being poor in spirit and having some basic knowledge of right and wrong leads one to
mourning. To mourn is to realize the sinfulness in your life and to have deep regret and
godly sorrow for past thoughts and deeds (Ps 32:5, 2 Cor 7:10). To mourn is to see the
shame of thy nakedness (sinfulness) – you perceive your transgressions of God’s will.
You must realize your wickedness and your own inability to correct the condition as
evidenced by agony and contrition concerning how you have transgressed God’s will and
been displeasing. You realize that your life’s actions are in rebellion to God and that you

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actually oppose Him just through your day to day disregard and seeking of self. In other
words, you understand that you are walking a path contrary to the one that leads to God.
You acknowledge how you have brought shame and dishonor upon God. Deep heartfelt
sorrow for past sins is not sufficient and must be accompanied with a desire to forsake all
sin in your life – actions speak louder than words – actions are true indicators of the
heart.

Mourning is contrition of heart which is remorse for having done wrong and sorrow for
having offended God. Contrition is a turning from self-centerness toward God-
centeredness – a change of perspectives which is a new direction. Self-centeredness
mourns when self does not get it’s way (what “I” desire). God-centeredness mourns
when self does get its way – a lessening or disregard of God. God-centeredness also
mourns for having offended another (your neighbor). Blessed are ye that weep now: for
ye shall laugh (Lk 6:21). Self-centeredness laughs when its desires are realized. Woe unto
you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep (Lk 6:25). The quest for self is walked
on the broad way. The desire for God is found on the narrow way.
Acknowledging Fault

Those who mourn stand before God fully accountable for their past actions. Psalms 32:5,
“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess
my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” AND
Proverbs 28:13, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and
forsaketh them shall have mercy.” To cover your sins or shift blame to others is to not
acknowledge your sins to God and this is not true mourning and certainly not repentance.

The Lord tells us plainly: Psalms 86:5, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive;
and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” AND Psalms 103:8, “The
LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy (also Ps 86:15,
145:8).” AND Psalms 103:11, “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his
mercy toward them that fear him.” Therefore: 1 John 1:9-10, “If we confess our sins, he
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we
say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

There must be a cleansing and purifying through the acknowledging of the truth and your
failure to walk in that truth – a plea for mercy under the sentence or condemnation of
“thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17).” God requires this humbling of self (poor in spirit,
mourning) as you enter into repentance! The proud cannot genuinely come to this
position or place. Only through humbleness can this position of heart be genuinely
achieved. We must desire to be as Christ, our example and Lord: 1 John 3:3, “And every
man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

God told Israel: Jeremiah 3:13, “Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast
transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers
under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD (also Jer
14:20).” AND Jeremiah 4:1-2, “If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto
me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not
remove. And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in

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righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.”
Mercy cannot possibly be granted without acknowledgement. You cannot truly return
unto the Lord unless you put away and forsake the evil.

The Lord then says: Jeremiah 4:4, “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away
the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury
come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your
doings.” This means that you must desire the Lord from your heart and not from
compulsion (begrudgingly, because you are being made to). You forsake your wickedness
and return to God from the heart.

Most men love death (Pv 8:36)! They refuse to humble themselves, they have refused to
receive correction, and they have refused to return (Jer 5:3). Neither say they in their
heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God (Jer 5:24). Many travel the broad way. They
have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement (Is 28:15). They are
foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God (Jer 5:4).
Ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for
your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein (Jer 6:16).
The Meek

The meek are the opposite of the proud. The proud exalt self and the meek deny self. The
proud inflict injuries (violent) and the meek patiently endure them (longsuffering,
forbearance). The proud place self first (Me and mine) and the meek put others first (God
foremost and then one’s neighbors, including enemies). The proud exert (forceful) and the
meek yield (submissive). The proud are violent (dog eat dog, survival of the fittest) and
the meek are gentle (kindhearted). The proud want and will take and the meek are content
and will give. The proud have difficulty admitting fault and the meek are quick to repent
(contrite, lowliness) or examine their ways. The proud walk in an opposite nature than the
meek.

Jesus said: Matthew 5:39, “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever
shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:41, “And
whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” Furthermore: Bless them
that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use
you, and persecute you (Mt 5:44). This is to have God’s nature and be His child (Mt
5:45). Now, the proud of heart would say that such a person is weak and gutless
(spineless, cowardly) – and that no one is going to run over them. They would say: “do
unto others before they do unto you (turning the truth into a lie).” The proud are violent!
Is it harder to patiently suffer the evil or to return the evil? These are two contrary natures
– one of a sheep and the other of a wolf. The wolf would have no qualms about
destroying the sheep and this is the nature of hatred (sacrifice of others for the benefit of
self – the opposite of love) which is found on the broad way – the way of wickedness.

A follower of Christ is told to put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind,


meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, forgiving one another with love
unfeigned, lowliness, endeavouring to keep the unity, with all patience and joyfulness
(Col 1:11, 3:12-13, 2 Cor 6:6, Eph 4:2-3) This is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

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This is the essence of being meek – to place others ahead. Jesus did this perfectly and we
are to “follow.”

Only the meek and humble will genuinely seek God. The prideful are self seeking and
cannot realize their need for God (Ps 10:3). Psalms 10:4, “The wicked, through the pride
of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”
The Way of Righteousness

Jesus said: Matthew 21:32, “For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye
believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had
seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.” The Lord was talking to
religious men who were very proud. John the Baptist came and prepared the way of
Christ by making hearts humble (through repentance) that they could receive Christ’s
message (Jn 1:31, Mt 11:10). The Lord said: “I will send my messenger, and he shall
prepare the way before me (Mal 3:1). To receive the Lord’s message the people first had
to become contrite of heart and broken over their transgressions against the will of God.
Those baptized of John confessed their sins and brought forth fruits meet for repentance
(Mt 3:6-8). The meaning of water baptism was understood to be a break with the old life
and a joyful acceptance of the new life. The Lord teaches the meek and guides them in
judgment (Ps 25:9).

John’s message was received by the common man (Mt 12:23, 21:9-10, Lk 4:14): Luke
7:29, “And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized
with the baptism of John.” The religious men (Pharisees and Sadduccess) were proud
and did not receive John’s baptism or God’s message (Mt 21:25). Luke 7:30, “But the
Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized
of him.” These religious men considered that they were walking/leading in the right path
and were quite offended at the suggestion that they were not. This is pride! Those who
walk in pride cannot be taught and are difficult to reach with the truth. God sends men to
show them the right way, but they reject them and mistreat them (Mt 23:34). The proud
are determined and stedfast in their will and do not change directions – thus they cannot
escape the damnation of hell (Mt 23:33) – they are cast into everlasting punishment
which is everlasting fire (Mt 25:41, 46).

Christ revealed in Matthew chapter six that these very religious men always sought self
in the religious things they did. When they gave alms to the poor, they would sound a
trumpet before them to receive notice, attention and praise of men (Mt 6:2). They prayed
to be seen of men (Mt 6:5) – hoping that they shall be heard for their much speaking (Mt
6:7). When they fasted, they put on sad countenance: for they disfigured their faces, that
they may appear unto men to fast (Mt 6:16). Jesus further revealed: Matthew 23:5-7, “But
all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and
enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the
chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men,
Rabbi, Rabbi (also Mk 12:38-40).” Today the terms might be “doctor” or “reverend.”
Respect must not be demanded or sought, but rather freely given without solicitation.
They exalted self to be noticed and to gain attention, honor and praise. Matthew 23:28,

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“Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of
hypocrisy and iniquity.” These ideals are found in “the way of wickedness.”

The Lord’s kingdom can only be entered with a broken, humble, contrite heart. Notice in
Mt 21:32 (above) that the publicans and the harlots believed Him. These publicans and
harlots were despised of the religious men and were looked down upon as sinners (e.g.
Lk 7:37-39, 19:1-10). The harlots and publicans “received” what Christ said. The
religious men did not and only sought fault and devised wicked plans against Jesus (Mt
12:10, 14, 26:4, Mk 3:2, 6, 11:18, 14:1, Lk 11:54, 19:47, 22:2, Jn 5:18, 7:1, 8:6). The
harlots and publicans were willing to “change.” The religious men were not willing to
even consider that they were wrong and felt threatened in their way. The religion of man
often blinds the eyes to the truth – religious pride (Lk 1:51-52). Religious men were
envious of Christ (as Cain was envious of Abel, Heb 11:4) – they hated Him without a
cause (Jn 15:25, Mt 27:18, Mk 15:10).

Jesus gave us a great example: Luke 18:10-14, “Two men went up into the temple to
pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus
with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust,
adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I
possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto
heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this
man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth
himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” The Pharisee
walked on the broad way in the nature of “I” which is self-centered. There are multitudes
of religious Pharisees today!

The Lord said: Matthew 21:28-30, “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and
he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said,
I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said
likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.” The first son initially
disregarded the Father’s will (walked contrary on the broad way), but changed directions
(repented) to do the Father’s will (walked the narrow way). The second son claimed to do
the Father’s will, but never did. Many claim to love God, but are clearly walking on the
broad way contrary to God’s will as evidence through their actions and fruits. Jesus said
of the religious men: “do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not (Mt 23:3).” Be
careful that you are not walking on the wrong path having a misguided and lost sense of
direction. There is an old wise saying: “Deeds, not words.”

If you are living for the lusts and desires of the flesh yet claim to be walking on the
narrow way then you have lost your sense of direction. You are walking in the principles
of the devil’s lie and are most likely blinded (deceived). You are being misguided (by
Satan and/or man) in the wrong way. Repent, repent!!! Perhaps you are being led about
by the whims of the flesh? Many take a form of godliness with them along the broad way.
Just remember one thing, a “god” of your own making (tailored to your liking) is just
that. Those who genuinely seek to “know” God conform to His will and acknowledge His
truth; being willing to pay the cost – whatever it may be. All others conform God to their
will and simply make an idol whom they call the one true god. The world has been full of

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idols presumed to be “God” since the fall of man. God has been appealing to man to turn
from these idols since the fall of man. Don’t assume that you are wiser than all who have
lived before you. No one ever perceives their idol as wickedness. Seek Jesus Christ for
eyesalve that you may see clearly (Rev 3:18).
The Desire for Righteousness

Jesus said: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God (Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4).
This is what the truly repentant hunger and thirst after (Mt 5:6). God’s Word does not
return void when it reaches a humble heart (Is 55:11). To live by every Word of God is to
turn to His path and fully embrace His will. To “live by” is to obey! John 14:23, “Jesus
answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father
will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” Jesus tells us
matter-of-factly: John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” What this is
saying is: Deuteronomy 13:4, “Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him,
and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto
him.” This must spring forth from your heart in love for God. Therefore: 1 John 5:3, “For
this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not
grievous.”

When you hunger and thirst to obey/walk in/do God’s commandments, then ye shall have
eternal life. God fills the hungry with good things (Lk 1:53). Obedience to the will of
your God and Creator is your life! God gives life and God sustains life – apart from God
there is no life, only death. The devil leads in the paths of death through unrighteousness.
The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-10). To separate yourself
from God is to separate yourself from the only source of life. Disobedience separates (Is
59:2)! To hate God is to love death (Pv 8:36). To love the darkness is to hate God (Jn
3:19-21). Therefore: to love the darkness is to love death – the darkness separates you
from God who is life.

Now the law brought a man unto the manna and “compelled” him to eat (duty bound,
obligated, required, to necessitate or constrain). The law brought a man unto the waters
and “compelled” him to drink. Romans 10:5, “For Moses describeth the righteousness
which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” AND
Galatians 3:12, “And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in
them.” Now faith brings a man unto the bread that came down from heaven (Jesus, Jn
6:35, 48, 51), but a man only eats based upon the desire that springs forth from the heart.
Now faith brings a man unto the living waters (Holy Spirit, Jn 4:10, 7:38-39), but the
desire to drink must proceed forth from the heart. In both cases God’s will must be
obeyed, but the approaches are vastly different. The Lord said He must be approached in
faith which has to come/proceed forth from willingness of heart (Heb 11:6). Galatians
3:11, “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The
just shall live by faith.” God is not pleased with those who feel “compelled” or
“obligated” to serve Him (perhaps they just do not want to go to hell so they have a form
of religiosity).

Therefore, we can conclude that God desires to be obeyed through the willingness of
heart. Man must love, trust, be devoted to and surrendered to God by that which emanates

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from his heart. John 6:35, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that
cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” You
must freely come to Jesus. You must freely hunger and thirst to live in God’s will. John
6:33, “For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto
the world.” Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
Hunger

Man sought the desires of his flesh in the garden of Eden over the commandment or will
of God. The first man, Adam, failed and brought sin and death into the world. Luke 4:1-3,
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit
into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat
nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him,
If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.” The devil was
tempting the second man, Jesus, to also seek the desires of His flesh (1 Cor 15:47). Jesus
was hungry! The flesh wanted to be filled! Christ was at the very same decision point as
Adam had been.

What did Jesus do? Luke 4:4, “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man
shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Jesus was more concerned
about the will of God than the desires of the flesh. We all must decide! Do you follow the
will of the flesh or the will of God? One must be denied to accomplish the other. Who
will be denied? Who will be chosen? Who will be followed? Who will be submitted to?
One shall receive honor and the other dishonor and disgrace. Who do you choose to
honor?

The flesh always hungers after this, that, or the other thing – it’s desires and lusts. The
flesh will never be satisfied! The flesh is on a fast track to destruction! You must decide
your eternal priorities. You will die to the flesh or to God – one will prevail in your life –
there will not be two masters (Mt 6:24, Lk 16:13).
Repentance

We can now understand just what repentance is. Repentance is humbleness of heart,
seeking God, rejection of your way, acknowledging and mourning over your wrongs,
realizing the truth, forsaking wickedness, and desiring to fully obey God and walk in His
truth. This is to completely change direction (course) and walk opposite of where you
were heading. This is to no longer be led of your carnal flesh in its lusts and desires, but
rather to be teachable and led of God’s Spirit. To be teachable is to learn how to do
something – to accept what is being said – to acknowledge the truth and walk therein.
This is essentially to reject the temptation of the forbidden tree and rather choose to obey
God’s commandments. This is a reversal of what took place in the Garden of Eden.

Repentance is to choose the more difficult path (given man’s current condition). This is to
swim against the strong current of this world. Repentance is only the very beginning of a
lifetime walk of faith…

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Walking in Faith

Once one has entered in through the strait gate (Jesus), there is a path before him to walk.
Recall from above that Jesus “went before” and the sheep “follow” Him (Jn 10:4). Jesus
said: “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye
shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven (Mt 18:3).” To be converted is to repent and be
“born again,” as a new creature/man in Christ Jesus (Jn 3:3, 2 Cor 5:17, Eph 4:24, Col
3:10). To become as a child is to be teachable and be led of another. To become as a child
is also to be humble (Mt 18:4). All things must become new (2 Cor 5:17) - new leader,
new path, new man, new nature!

Jesus baptizes with the Holy Ghost (Mt 3:11, Mk 1:8, Lk 3:16, Jn 1:33). The Holy Ghost
is the “power (Lk 1:35, 4:14, 24:49, Jn 1:12, Acts 1:8)” of God that Jesus walked in (as a
man, Lk 4:1, Acts 10:38) when He forged the narrow way to God (Jn 16:28). John 1:12,
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God…”
Jesus gives His followers the “power” or Holy Spirit so that they can walk as He walked
(Col 2:6, 1 Pt 2:21, 1 Jn 2:6). Man is “weak” through the flesh and must have such
power from God (Mt 26:41, Rm 8:9). The Spirit teaches and leads on the narrow way.
Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” We
can now conclude from these scriptures that Jesus gives those who receive Him power or
the Holy Ghost to become the sons of God. One becomes a son of God by being led of
the power or Holy Ghost. Psalms 23:3, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Consider the path of righteousness in the
illustration above. Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor 7:1). To “perfect” something is to practice
until you are an expert – to become proficient (skillful, expert). Therefore: The Holy
Spirit is “the power that worketh in us (Eph 3:20).”

The Holy Ghost is our Comforter along this narrow way to teach us the will of God. John
14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my
name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever
I have said unto you.” AND John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will
send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father,
he shall testify of me.” Those who are not teachable as children will not progress very far
on the narrow way – perhaps look back (Lk 9:62). The lessons begin at once and one
progresses through faith (submission, obedience, devotion, trust, loving heart). 1 Peter
1:9, “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” At the end of
your walk of faith is God who is eternal life (see illustration). The ways of the LORD are
right, and the just shall walk in them (Hos 14:9).

Disobedience to the teaching/leading of the Holy Spirit equates to turning away from
God and walking the other way. Those who look back (at the alternative to obeying God)
are not fit for the kingdom of God (Lk 9:62) – so they walk away from it. The Lord says:
Hebrews 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall
have no pleasure in him.” Be cautious: Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of
God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption (also 1 Thess 5:9).”

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The Holy Spirit leads us to walk as Jesus walked. In doing so, we become conformed to
His image. 2 Corinthians 3:18, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the
glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the
Spirit of the Lord.” Christ is the express image of the Father, the brightness of his glory
(Heb 1:3, also 2 Cor 4:4, Col 1:15). After all, Jesus said: “he that hath seen Me hath seen
the Father (Jn 14:9).” Man was created in the image of God, but was corrupted (Gen
1:26-27, 5:1). The “born again” man again bears the image of God. 1 Corinthians 15:49,
“And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the
heavenly.” The image of the earthy is found on the broad way; the image of the heavenly
is found on the narrow way (see illustration).

Jesus was manifest in the flesh and justified in the Spirit (1 Tim 3:16). Those who follow
Jesus must also be justified in the Spirit. This is done as you follow the Spirit and thus
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Php 2:12). You learn obedience,
often through suffering – just as Jesus (Heb 5:8). You continue in Christ’s gospel and in
so doing save yourself (1 Tim 4:16) – patient continuance in well doing (as per the Lord,
Rm 2:7).

The way in which one walks the narrow way can be found in the remaining “Blessed”
statements from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mountain. Matthew 5:7-13, “Blessed are the
merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see
God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed
are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of
evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your
reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the
salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is
thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
The Merciful

The merciful are those who sacrifice self for the undeserved benefit of others. God
sacrificed His only begotten Son for our undeserved benefit (Jn 3:16). Jesus freely laid
His life down for His enemies. Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God has forgiven us much and we
must do the same for others (consider the parable that Jesus told in Matthew 18:23-35).
Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses.” Luke 6:36, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
Therefore it can be said: James 2:13, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that
hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” As Christ forgave you, so
also do ye (Col 3:13).

We have been commanded to love our neighbors. Mark 12:31, “And the second
(commandment) is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is
none other commandment greater than these.” Our neighbors include our enemies!
Matthew 5:43-45, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour,

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and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he
maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the
unjust.” It is somewhat easy to be merciful to those who love you, but much more
difficult to be merciful to those who hate you (Mt 5:46-48). Being merciful is walking as
Jesus walked.
Pure in Heart

When the thoughts and intents of the heart are pure, the motives are righteous. The desire
is for godliness and holiness. All of this emanates (springs forth) from a sincere heart of
love toward God. Laws compel one to walk orderly. Faith desires to walk orderly. The
pure in heart do what is right even when no one is looking. The pure in heart are honest
and upright (not deviating from what is right). These are genuine in their desire to live for
and serve God (no ulterior motives).

The pure in heart will constantly examine their own heart to see if they be walking in the
true faith (2 Cor 13:5). The pure in heart will determine the truth, repent, and “change” if
they be found to be walking in error on any matter. They will say (and sincerely mean it):
Psalms 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my
thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

The Holy Spirit dwells within the sincere believer and guides them on the narrow way.
This is for one’s eternal benefit. The pure in heart will obey the direction of the Holy
Spirit even if it cost them much (great sacrifice). The insincere (hypocrite, feigned,
froward) play religion until any type of real (substantial) sacrifice is required. Once a
denial of self is required they are quickly exposed. They will justify, reason,
emotionalize, develop doctrine, twist, loop for loopholes, rely on bad examples, etc. in
order to continue in “their way.” The pure in heart is willing to give all and the hypocrite
is not.

Lets put this into terms and example that everyone can understand. If the king builds an
idol and demands that everyone bow down and worship it under penalty of death, the
pure of heart will say NO! The pure of heart will literally sacrifice all to obey God and
walk in His truth. The hypocrite will justify and make excuse such that he will bow down
to the idol in order to save his own life (avoid sacrifice). Perhaps the hypocrite will say
that God has told us that we must obey and be subject to the higher authorities in the land
because the powers that be are ordained of God. The hypocrite will justify his position as
being right and godly and will condemn the truly righteous as being ignorant and out of
God’s will.

Of course this example concerns the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s image of gold that is
detailed in Daniel chapter three. The truth is that God did raise up Nebuchadnezzar and
gave him his authority (Ez 5:12, Jer 27:6-8, 28:14, Dan chap 4). However,
Nebuchadnezzar did many wicked things for which God greatly humbled him. This was
one such case. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were absolutely correct in their stand
against this wickedness. God preserved them and magnified Himself before

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Nebuchadnezzar and his authorities in leadership. Daniel 3:28, “Then Nebuchadnezzar


spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent
his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s
word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except
their own God.” - there is no other God that can deliver after this sort (Dan 3:29).
Peacemaker

A peacemaker is one who reconciles parties who are at variance or enmity. Jesus came
and taught always pointing the way to God. Christ guided our feet in the way of peace
(Lk 1:79). Christ did this by calling men unto repentance – to turn around; change
directions and “follow” Him. Jesus was leading the way to God by perfect example. Jesus
always said, “follow Me.” John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and
where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father
honour.”

In order to reconcile God and man, Jesus had to do several things. First, Jesus had to live
the life that Adam failed to live, that being a life of perfect obedience to the
commandments of God. Christ had to live the will of the Father. Second, Jesus had to
atone for man’s transgressions against God by offering up His perfect life in exchange for
man’s sins and condemnation (Is 53:3-6, 10, Rm 15:3, 2 Cor 5:21, Gal 3:13-14, 1 Pt
2:24). Christ suffered man’s condemnation of “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17)” to
assuage the Father’s righteous anger and allow Him to be propitious (gracious, merciful,
ready to forgive sin) to man. Isaiah 53:11, “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and
shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall
bear their iniquities.”

Christ died for all sinners and made it possible for us to be saved (Rm 5:8, Mk 10:45).
However, man still has to freely choose to accept what Christ did and follow Him. God’s
will or commandments must still be obeyed (adhered to). This is where “repentance” and
a “walk of faith” come in. To be forgiven of your transgressions against God is essential
(praise Jesus) for reconciliation between God and man to occur. This places you at the
start of the narrow way. Now God must realize in you what He desired from the
beginning – your surrender, obedience, devotion, trust and love toward Him. You must be
“restored.” God’s purposes must be worked (wrought – effected, produced, formed) in
you. Psalms 23:3, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for
his name’s sake.” We are restored as we walk in righteousness (doing God’s will) through
faith.

Jesus provided for God’s purposes to be realized in you by walking a perfect example for
you to follow and by giving you the Holy Spirit to guide, teach and empower you as you
follow. Recall: as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of
God (Jn 1:12). The power is the Holy Spirit which is the Comforter (Acts 1:8, Jn 14:26).
Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
Where are they led? In Christ’s example along the narrow way. We follow Jesus so that
where He is there we shall be (Jn 12:26).

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Therefore: Peace, which is reconciliation between God and man could not occur without
1) forgiveness of man’s transgressions against God, known as remission of sins (Mt
26:28, Lk 24:47, Acts 2:38, 10:43, Rm 3:25); 2) the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38,
10:45, Heb 6:4); 3) Man’s free-will repentance (Acts 3:19, 17:30, 26:20); and 4) man’s
walk of faith as led by the Spirit (Gal 3:14, 5:5). This is a walk of obedience. Romans
5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and
rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

The Lord calls each of His followers to walk in peace. John 17:18, “As thou hast sent me
into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” Therefore, we must point
others to God: Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill
cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Jesus said that we are to carry the message onward: Luke 24:47, “And that repentance
and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem.” - Ephesians 6:15, “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
peace.” We take Christ’s message wherever we go.
Persecution

Persecution in the life of the believer is unavoidable. Jesus was persecuted and so will be
those who follow Him. 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution.” Jesus said His followers would be “hated (Mt 10:22).” Luke
21:17, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” AND John 15:18, “If the
world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” This is a mark of following
Christ. John 15:20, “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater
than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept
my saying, they will keep yours also.”

Do not fret! Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’
sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice,
and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the
prophets which were before you.” AND Luke 6:22-23, “Blessed are ye, when men shall
hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you,
and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap
for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers
unto the prophets.”

To be hated or rejected by the world means that you are not walking the broad path of the
world - You are walking contrary to the world. John 15:19, “If ye were of the world, the
world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out
of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” Conversely, if you are loved and accepted
by the world, you have great cause for concern. Always remember: 2 Timothy 2:11-12,

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“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we
suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.”
The Walk

The walk that one takes through this life has eternal implications. God actually gives you
the free-will to obey Him or not. Psalms 33:13-15, “The LORD looketh from heaven; he
beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the
inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.”
When God considereth your life, will he find one that loves Him and wants to be with
Him eternally? Remember, God determines this through your actions (works/deeds) – this
is how he judges.
Purging

God separates the disobedient eternally from His presence. The Lord says: “I will purge
out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me (Ez 20:38).” He will
cut off the righteous from the wicked (Ez 21:3-4). John the Baptist said of Christ:
Matthew 3:12, “Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and
gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire
(also Lk 3:17).” Jesus said: Matthew 25:32, “And before him shall be gathered all
nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep
from the goats.” Jesus also told of the separation of the wheat from the tares: Matthew
13:40-43, “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the
end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of
his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a
furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous
shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Do not think you can fool God (Heb 4:12). Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not
mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” In other words (looking
at the diagram), A man will arrive at the destination for the way in which he traveled. The
Lord always says: “according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge
thee” (Ez 24:14, also Job 34:11, Eccl 3:17, 11:9, 12:14, 2 Kg 8:39, Ps 62:12, Pv 24:12,
29, Is 59:18, Jer 17:10, 25:14, 32:19, Ez 7:3-4, 8-9, 27, Oba 1:15, Zech 1:6, Mt 12:36-
37, 16:27, Jn 5:29, Rm 2:6, 16, 14:12, 1 Cor 3:13, 4:5, 2 Cor 5:10, Col 3:24-25, 2 Tim
4:1, 1 Pt 1:17, 4:5, Jude 1:15, Rev 2:23, 20:12-13, 22:12). Do not think that you can just
reverse course at your discretion. You will quickly find that God’s way cannot be walked
apart from a sincere and genuine heart. The narrow way is purposefully designed to
destroy the lusts of the flesh. Those who seek their desires will not be able to deny them.
Conclusion

You must repent! Zechariah 1:4, “Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former
prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil
ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the
LORD.” Lamentations 3:40, “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the
LORD.” James 4:10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you

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up.” If you do not die to the lusts of the flesh, you will not be able to follow where Christ
leads. Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Our attitude must
constantly be: Psalms 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and
know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting.” Obviously, when one takes cross in hand to follow, there must be a
diminishing of self, an obedience to walk in the way directed - yieldedness.

Mark 1:14-15, “…Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and
believe the gospel.”
Luke 15:10, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels
of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

The author periodically writes other articles, tracts and books as the Lord puts them on his heart. These are offered free
of charge and may be obtained by writing: 209 Cedar Pond Dr., Madison, Al. 35757

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