“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV) Which way will you go? Follow the law to keep in a right position, watching what you do? People will try to tell you their way to please God, go to heaven, to be a good person, etc. Or will you go the hard way, relying on God’s grace alone? We can’t take anything with us through the narrow gate. Only a few make it through, it's true enough. Everyone can avoid hurting others. But can you love others? That's hard. Thankfully Jesus has gone ahead. He is the door. The way. He doesn't just avoid sin, he loves sacrificially, to the death. He uses death to destroy death. He uses self-love to teach us to love others. His power and genius! Others will tell you, “here’s what not to do, and do, to reach God.” Jesus says God reaches us…and he is the door, the gate, who lays down everything to love sacrificially. He gave us his love, rather than what we deserved, death. How? You start with God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. God helps us see ourselves clearly, destroys our self-centeredness, then teaches us to love others. Challenge: Make a list of the ways you like to be treated. Not just favourite flavours and colours, but what helps you relate well with people. Now consider, who will you see today, whom you do not treat in this way? Pick one of those list items, and change that today.

Related Topics: Law, Love | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

From Series: "Sermon on the Mount"

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