Broad and Easy-or Narrow and Straight?

This world’s “Christianity” can only offer a broad, easy, and often “come as you are” way. The Bible describes that way as having a wide entrance leading to destruction. The true way is straight and narrow and only a few are finding it (Matt. 7:13-14).

There are thousands of supposed “Christian” churches. There is a flavor of “Christianity” for all the tastes people might have. Millions feel they have heard about and know the true Jesus Christ. By just “believing in” and “professing” Christ, all of them consider themselves Christian.
But in real Christianity, being a true Christian goes far beyond simple belief. It is way more than just knowing about Jesus, or believing that He existed. It is not just believing in a set of doctrines. It is actually living the Bible’s Truth daily. It is a way of life founded on the Ten Commandments and all the laws of God.

Most of the world looks at God’s Law as bondage. However, the love that God has for us is shown in His Commandments, and we receive blessings for obeying them (I John 5:3). God’s Law is a Law of liberty; when we keep it, it frees us from the bondage of the hurtful and destructive ways of this world (Jms. 2:8, 12).

A person who is really living the Christian way of life shows their love for God by obeying and keeping His laws—all of them (John 14:15).
When people live this way of life, they stand out as being different. God does not want His people to be conformed to the ways of this world (Rom. 12:2) but wants them to be transformed by the renewing of their minds by His Word. With His Spirit in them, it is possible for them to change.
Still, true Christians are not perfect, but are striving to be. Perfect people are not the criteria for identifying the true Church. Its teachings are.

Immeasurable Love

"Prayers and tears could not suffice to pardon my sins, nor anything less than atoning blood, but my believing is my receiving, for a thankful acceptance is no paying of the debt. What didst thou see in me? that I a poor, diseased, despised sinner should be clothed in thy bright glory? that a creeping worm should be advanced to this high state? ... Who can fathom immeasurable love?"

The Valley of Vision

Gracious Promise

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32)

Gracious promise! It is a great joy to me to confess my Lord. Whatever my faults may be, I am not ashamed of Jesus, nor do I fear to declare the doctrines of His cross. O Lord, I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart.

Charles Spurgeon

If and a Triple Promise

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Called by the name of the Lord, we are nevertheless erring men and women. What a mercy it is that our God is ready to forgive! Whenever we sin let us hasten to the mercy seat of our God, seeking pardon.

We are to humble ourselves. Should we not be humbled by the fact that after receiving so much love we yet transgress? O Lord, we bow before Thee in the dust and own our grievous ingratitude. Oh, the infamy of sin! Oh, the sevenfold infamy of it in persons so favored as we have been!

Next, we are to pray for mercy, for cleansing, for deliverance from the power of sin. O Lord, hear us even now, and shut not out our cry.

In this prayer we are to seek the Lord's face. He has left us because of our faults, and we must entreat Him to return. O Lord, look on us in Thy Son Jesus, and smile upon Thy servants.
With this must go our own turning from evil; God cannot turn to us unless we turn from sin.
Then comes the triple promise of hearing, pardon, and healing. Our Father, grant us these at once, for our Lord Jesus Christ's sake.

Charles Spurgeon