“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Prov. 4:18)
The path we walk for the glory of God, the path that He has set before each of us who have been crucified with Christ is fraught with danger, it is rocky and rough, with only an occasional resting spot for our souls. It is to be walked with purposeful intent, we are to look as far forward as we can while traveling upon it, while applying ourselves to what is necessary and required of us on the place we find ourselves on that path to glory.
We are not to step off the path, but we do, and if you will allow me this envisionment, if you will, that is because the path that leads to the strait gate, the path that few find runs down the middle of the wide road to hell.
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;” (2nd Cor. 4:8)
There really is no other place that path the chosen have been set upon could run if you think about it, it is not far off to one side of that wide road that most travel, for although we are no longer of this world, we must travel through it to our final and glorious destination. “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” (John 17:15)
It is not above it, for we do not live above this world, but in humility serve those in it for His glory. “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;” (Eph. 4:2)
It does not veer around the wicked, it is not placed where they cannot rebuke us, where we are safe from all their persecutions upon us, it runs right down the middle of that wide path that leads to hell itself.
But that is not where it leads us.
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matt. 25:21)
The temptations of our adversary assail us, the desires of our flesh, that old sinful nature that remains in us until we are glorified looks left and right, sees all around us and desires to step off the path nearly every moment. The wicked attack us, the lost do not seek to join us. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
Those on that wide path can see nearly everything we do, we are almost always visible to them, and when we attempt to expound the truths of the Word of God to them, when we tell them of the One who loves them, who is willing to place them on this path of eternal light also, as they listen politely, they hate us.
“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16)
But for some, and this may at first seem oxymoronic to your ears, they envy us, for we have been blessed with everything they have been looking for. A peace that passes all understanding in the midst of a world preparing to be set ablaze, a joy unspeakable in the middle of a planet full of suffering and sorrow, an assurance far beyond hope that cannot be denied.
Love in the presence of despair. Right down the middle of the wide road to hell.
Walking in confidence, with the full knowledge that He who has promised is faithful. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jer. 29:11)
We watch them rage and know the reason why, we see them seeking continuously for some form of happiness that will never be fulfilled, striving for the things of this world that we walk past everyday as if they have no value.
They are right beside you my friends, speak to them, draw them to the path.
