Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. ---Matthew 7:13-14
If we want to be disciples of the Lord, we must remember all noble things, which are difficult. The Christian life is magnificently difficult. Difficulties, however, do not discourage us, but spur us to win. Am I so deeply grateful for the wonderful salvation of the Lord Jesus that I devote myself to him? The supreme grace of God saves the world through the redemption of Jesus; God has wrought in us that we may do with the whole heart what is good in his sight; but we should try our best to be saved in real life. If we start from the foundation of his salvation and follow his commands, we will find that we can do it. If we fail, it is because we have not acted upon it; and in the most critical moments it shows clear that whether we have acted upon God’s command. If we obey God’s spirit, we practice what God has put into our hearts through his spirit in our physical lives, so that when the crisis comes, we will find that both our nature and God’s grace support us at the same time.
Thank God for the hard things he has given us. His salvation is a joyful thing, but it is also heroic and holy, and will test us thoroughly. Jesus wants to bring many “sons” into glory, but God will not abdicate the demands of his son. God’s grace is to make people look like Jesus Christ, not cowards. It takes a lot of practice to live the noble life of a disciple in real life. To be noble, you have to work hard.
Dear God, how utterly need and desire you. Return to me fully, and fill my thoughts and heart with your life until it flows; Glory be to your name.