“Strive To Enter Through the Narrow Gate . . .” Luke 13:24
If there is a beautiful four-lane highway and there is also a small road where there is hardly any room for two vehicles to pass each other, with steep hills and curves so you constantly have to slow down, which road would you take? The problem is, that these two roads go in two different directions and the ends of the roads are two different destinations.
Jesus says that most people choose the wide road because it is easy. Just sit back and relax, follow the flow of the traffic. Jesus is not really talking about a road. He is talking about a way of life. It is so easy to be pulled in the wrong direction.
Chapter 64 in The Adventist Home is about business integrity, and here we are dealing with the 8th and the 9th commandments, stealing and lying. “The eighth commandment condemns . . . theft and robbery. It demands strict integrity in the minutest details of the affairs of life. It forbids overreaching in trade and requires the payment of just debts or wages.” –The Adventist Home, p. 392
How easily we get tempted to take advantage of others; many times that is easy to do, but it does not make it right. Be honest with your fellow man inside your family and outside. Make it a rule for yourself that you can always be trusted. “The world has a right to expect strict integrity in those who profess to be Bible Christians.” –Ibid., p. 393
So, fair is fair; if you make a deal you stick to it, even if you find out it is not in your best interest. As far as borrowing money is concerned, we should always pay our loans back on time as promised. However, circumstances may arise which are beyond our control and Sister White writes in regards to this, “If some are found to be in debt and really unable to meet their obligations, they should not be pressed to do that which is beyond their power. They should be given a favorable chance to discharge their indebtedness, and not be placed in a position where they are utterly unable to free themselves from debt. Though such a course might be considered justice, it is not mercy and the love of God.” –Ibid., p. 394
We should always be balanced in our thinking. If things go well for some time, save up for a rainy day. Things can change very fast in our world. Just think about the coronavirus. In difficult times, hope and pray for better times. In good days, do not expect them to last forever. Do not forget the Lord’s cause while you are alive. The Spirit of Prophecy says, “Let no one think that he will meet the mind of Christ in hoarding up property through life and then at death making a bequest of a portion of it to some benevolent cause.
“Some selfishly retain their means during their lifetime, trusting to make up for their neglect by remembering their cause in their wills. But not half the means thus bestowed in legacies ever benefits the object specified. Brethren and sisters, invest in the bank of heaven yourselves, and do not leave your stewardship upon another.” –Ibid., p. 397
In your travel on life’s journey Satan is not going to leave you alone but will try to push you off the narrow road. He is trying to get entrance into your mind through your eyes, your ears, and your speech. These are gifts from God, wonderful gifts. If you could not see, you would give everything you own to have your sight. If you could not hear, you would pay all you have to be able to hear again. The same if you were unable to speak, you would be ecstatic to be able to speak. Do we realize how blessed we are when we have these abilities? The problem is that we misuse these gifts. We watch things that we would be better off not to see. Horrendous soul destroying films are produced in our days; may God help us to be wise in choosing what we see. The same with music that is so popular in our days. Sometimes you stop at a traffic light and the music in the car next to you is so loud, so that you cannot understand how the driver can survive the noise. Ellen G. White writes, “Music, when not abused, is a great blessing; but when put to wrong use, it is a terrible curse.” –Ibid., p. 408
The Apostle James tells us that our tongue is a dangerous part of our body that can be hard to control. James 3:2 says, “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”
Our mind is a wonderful creation, which is so complicated that no one can really understand it. It is very important that we control our mind. If we do not, the mind will control us. There is nothing the devil would like more than to get access to your mind and be able to control you. Therefore, it is important that we avoid seeing and hearing anything that is evil. We can know that if we struggle, angels are willing to help us. Impure thoughts lead to impure actions; therefore, let us always try to find good things to occupy our mind with. Ellen G. White writes in The Adventist Home page 415, that many of our church members say, “I cannot afford our church papers.” And, at the same time, they read several other magazines.
“Sow in the mind seeds of Bible truth.” –Ibid., p. 417
Courtesy and Kindness
Canadians are known to be polite. This is a wonderful characteristic of the country in which we live. “Christian courtesy should reign in every household. It is cheap, but it has power to soften natures which would grow hard and rough without it.” –Ibid., p. 421
“Christian courtesy is the golden clasp which unites the members of the family in bonds of love, becoming closer and stronger every day.” –Ibid., p. 423
The golden rule Jesus gave us: “Do unto others what you would like them to do unto you,” should be the rule in our families.
It is through social relations that contact is made with the world. Let the world know that we are not selfishly absorbed in our own interests, but that we desire others to share our blessings and privileges. If you are sad, unhappy, and complaining, it will also make others sad and unhappy.
Someone Made an Experiment:
A group of people were put together in a room and asked to pretend to be sad for 15 minutes.
Another group were asked to pretend to be angry for 15 minutes
The third group were asked to pretend to be happy for 15 minutes.
Some of the people in the first group continued to be sad for 3 weeks.
Some of the people in the second group actually got angry at each other and never got over it.
The ones that were asked to pretend to be happy, some of them made new friends for life.
Never use harsh words. It is repeated so often in The Adventist Home, that you cannot miss it if you read the book.
Hospitality is important. Open your home to friends and strangers, but be careful who you choose to be your friends. Holidays are times when we come together with friends and family. Keep in mind that God should be honored and glorified, not man. God is the Creator who keeps us alive and gives us everything. There is nothing wrong by giving presents to friends and family, but give meaningful presents—things that have real value—not novelties that are only good for a day or two. Always keep in mind that the home should be a missionary center.
What About Recreation?
If you are studying, you need a break. It is not healthy to sit in church or school all day long without taking a break. We must have periods of rest, periods of recreation, and periods of contemplation. Ellen G. White says that teachers should spend some relaxing time with their students. Here is a mission for those who work as teachers. If you can spend some time with your students, nature is a very good environment for outdoor activities. It is interesting that you can easily recognize a tree by its leaves; you can see what kind of tree it is. But notice that not two leaves are exactly the same, just as two human beings are different. Or you can pick up the phone and you can, by the voice, recognize who you are talking to, because no two voices are the same.
Take a ball out in nature and play with it; it is very good for the soul and for the body, but keep the competition out of the game. Sports and play should be for fun and exercise, not to see if we can outdo our friends.
I find it interesting that Ellen G. White writes around the year 1900, “When Life Was Less Complex—In early ages, with the people who were under God’s direction, life was simple. They lived close to the heart of nature.” –Ibid., p. 501. Imagine what she would say if she was here today.
Do not be afraid to take a whole day off work for recreation; that is not going to be wasted time. It will benefit both soul and body; nothing will be lost, and much will be gained. Social gatherings are good for all of us; and, keep in mind that we want to encourage each other and whatever we do should benefit all of us in as safe a way as possible. Jesus visited rich and poor alike. We should take time to relax and enjoy nature and each other’s company. We can also find recreation in doing work together. Do something that is a help for some poor people. Do something together inside or outside the church building. It will benefit ourselves and others and also give us the opportunity to socialize, spending time together. What man really needs is a change in occupation just as much as he needs a rest. God did not create Adam and say, “I have a good and well-paying job for you on the assembly line, or, here is a beautiful office with a big desk and a lot of papers to study.” If you work physically all day, it is good to relax in the evening with a good book. If you are in the office all day reading or writing, you need some physical exercise when you come home. How great it is when you can go into the garden or do some other outdoor activity so your body can move and your mind relax. The secret of saving your children lies in making your home lovely and attractive, pleasant and cheerful. “The work of wise parents will never be appreciated by the world, but when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened, their work will appear as God views it and will be rewarded before men and angels.” –Ibid., p. 536
“We are homeward bound. He who loved us so much as to die for us hath builded for us a city. The New Jerusalem is our place of rest.” –Ibid., p. 542
“There every power will be developed, every capability increased. The grandest enterprises will be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations will be reached, the highest ambitions realized. And still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the power of body and mind and soul.” –Ibid., p. 549
When we try to comprehend all the glorious things that Jesus is preparing for us, no effort that we can put forth will be too hard, as long as we keep our eyes on the goal. Amen
Evald Pedersen