Today's Verse: Matthew 7:13-14

Friday, July 13, 2012

[Jesus said,] "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

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Over three decades ago, Juan Carlos Ortiz criticized European and American evangelists for offering a carrot stick gospel that focused on the pay off and not lordship of Jesus. Jesus, especially in Matthew 7, reminds us that grace does not dismiss discipleship, and mercy does not release us from our need to repent genuinely. We joyously accept the grace God gives to us in Jesus and truly let Jesus be Lord of our lives. It's not an either-or proposition, but a both-and call from God. We receive grace and obediently follow Jesus as Lord. We obey and serve God because he has adopted us and brought us into his family. Our motivation to do good things is not to earn our salvation but to thank and honor God who has been so good to us and saved us by his mercy and grace (Ephesians 2:8-10).

My Prayer...

Almighty God, holy and awesome in your majesty and might, I know that I will never be worthy of your grace. I know that my flesh can be easily lured away from the path of discipleship. So please help me as I seek to follow the Good Shepherd on your way of salvation. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 7:13-14 — [Jesus said,] "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."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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