The Author and Finisher

There is more to salvation than just “having faith.” We must have faith in the One we say we believe in, trusting Him to bring it to completion, for only He can do it. 

The Narrow Road, Part 1

Walking the narrow road, the path of Life, is one of the hardest challenges the Christian life requires; albeit, Christ, Himself. How is it challenging?
First of all, it is lonely, because "few there be that find it." Secondly, because of the parameters set on each side, the flesh of man is constantly denied. It doesn't like being told "no" which results in the infighting with the Spirit that Paul references in God's Word. (Gal. 5:16,17)  This inward restlessness causes him to label himself a "wretched man,' with the only One, Jesus Christ, being able to calm this condition.(Rom. 7:24) He does this as we are conformed into His image, with the Spirit in us, gaining dominion by putting the flesh to it's welcomed demise.(Rom. 8:29) It is "welcomed" by all true believers because His sons and daughters despise their own flesh with it's lusts and nature, as much as He does. It is the rebellious, God-mocking, self-elevating part of them that fights His will to the bitter end; the part that "tries" to usurp it's own self seeking will over His Sovereignty and Holiness. Weren't Adam and Eve cast out of the garden for the same thing,  and their example, satan, from heaven? Praise God, our flesh can be conquered by the Spirit He's given us, if we are born-again. Thirdly, this path is arduous and challenging because we need futuristic vision to help us continue on it, which God gives, through the understanding in His Word, as revealed by the Spirit. We must walk by faith and not sight as we tread. He tells us, not only, that "he who endures to the end will be saved," but that this path "leads to life," while the "broad path leads to destruction." To keep going, and stay on the path is not an option, if we are to, one day, see Him face to face! If we didn't have Him as our guide to warn, strengthen us, and lead the way, though, we all would stray. 

The Narrow Road, Part 2

The world and it's values, your circumstances, your thoughts, and the influence of others are some of the devices used by satan to lure the flesh of man attempting to distract, consume, spoil, and/or rob us of everything God has given us; primarily our faith and trust in Him. Satan comes and attempts to offer us something that seems"better," is easier, feeds our pride, or increases our bank accounts.  He appeals to our flesh, our corrupt, fallen nature. He dare not approach the Spirit in us, for he knows it is more powerful and wise. Instead, he goes for the weakness of our flesh, and is successful when we give in to those temptations, instead of calling out to God, or by using the weapons He's given us to fight with. If instead, or flesh succumbs, we can begin to cross the protective lines on either side of the path, slowly drifting, and finding ourselves on the broad path, without even realizing how we got there. When our flesh is empowered, as we feed it's lusts,  our spiritual eyes become blind.
If we think we, as followers of Christ, can get through this world without battling the enemy, who is against us, we are sorely mistaken! Apathy will not win this war levied by satan to steal our salvation! Although Christ has already defeated satan on the cross, because he has not yet been put under His feet, we must stand in this victory, after the fact, knowing we, too, can win.(His ways are not ours.) He's given us weapons for a reason, and He expects us to use them.
He wants us to make it to the finish line; to welcome us home with our salvation intact. Yes, He will keep us, but we've got to want to be kept. By doing our part, He empowers us, and secures that we will be, unto the end.