BULLETIN ARTICLE
22 March 2020
Two Ways Of Life
As we read through the Bible, we see that that God frequently confronts people with choices. Moses presented a choice to the Israelites, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse… life and prosperity [or] death and destruction” (Deuteronomy 11:26; 30:15). Joshua also famously challenged the Israelites, “… choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15).
In Matthew 7:13-29, Jesus confronts his hearers (and that will include us) with a series of choices too. These choices are set out as contrasts. To a large crowd of would-be “disciples”, Jesus wanted them to hear the hard truths first of what it means to be his disciple so that they know what they were getting into before deciding if they truly would commit to be one.
A true disciple’s life will not be easy. Jesus likens this to entering through the small and narrow gate and traversing the narrow road. While many will enter the main broadway that leads to destruction, only a few find this small, narrow gate and enter it. The majority may not always be right in what they do; being a Christian may demand that we live counter to worldly culture and walk a lonely, difficult and costly road of suffering. If the profession of our faith in Jesus Christ does not cost us anything, we could in fact be on the “broad and easy road of Christianity” despite our claims to have “trusted” Jesus. Such a road makes no demands on us and instead pulls us deeper towards worldly associations and appetites.
A true disciple’s life must see change. As new creation in Christ, we need to be good trees that bear good fruit. False prophets with their false righteousness bear false fruit that will not last and by their fruit we will recognise them. Likewise, by our fruit, Jesus can tell who are his. Just like the Master, his disciples will also display the good fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24). In addition, we are reminded also that we can only bear fruit if we abide in Jesus (John 15:8). Since we abide in him, he will recognise us when he comes again.
A true disciple’s life is lived in obedience to Jesus’ words. The true disciple does not just hear the words of Jesus but also puts them into practice (James 1:22-25). On the surface, both the houses of the wise man and the foolish man may appear similar. However, it is during times of testing that the quality of their often unseen foundation matters. Such strong rock foundation can only come as we live in obedience to Jesus, growing in our faith.
Two ways of life: Will you just profess to follow Christ only, or will you live it out? What we profess will eventually be tested before God. We need to examine the cost of our profession. How will you fare when the storms of life come?
