Clearing the Air

Fall is a great season. The air is crisp and at times the sky look so blue against the vivid colors of the trees. I love the smells and the clearness of the air at this time of the year.

Recently I read an article on the internet by Wayne Jacobsen on Matthew 7:13-14. One statement he makes really provided clarity and painted a portrait of vivid color for me of God's love for man.

"Jesus warned us that the road into his life is a narrow road. 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 (Matt. 7:13-14). 

I know this has been preached to fill people with fear, but what if Jesus didn't say this to push people harder on the religious treadmill? In fact, I don't think his words are about eternal destiny at all, but rather an encouragement to a different way of living in this age. Salvation for Jesus was not giving out a get-out-of-hell-free card, but opening a door for us into a relationship with his Father." (Wayne Jacobsen http://www.lifestream.org/living-love-newsletter)

Often our view of God, (or for anything else for that matter) is filtered through a broad spectrum of life experiences, upbringing and exposure to common ideas about religion from men. We have to remember that fear is not the motive of God's word. Love is! As I  'mosey' my way through the pages of Exodus, it is clear again, just as with Genesis, that God is love and full of grace. God wanted His people to find their way to a life without bondage and He provided a way. For us today, instead of Moses,  Jesus Christ is the way to God.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Matthew 7 is all about love.  The worldly pollution is ever with us but God can prevail in our lives as we trust Him. The beautiful colors of fall and the beautiful sky are great reminders of how blessed we are by God's detailed love to us.