Perhaps too often, the entirety of this large chunk of teaching by Jesus has been taken out of context or overlooked completely. When we choose to ignore it or pick and choose the parts we want out of the sermon on the mount we manage to view the "narrow gate" of Matthew 7:13,14 as the "sinner's prayer". We get this image of "just say this prayer and then no matter what happens after that you will be okay because Jesus took away all your sins and you were saved".
This is a dangerous thought that looks and sounds like this wide path:
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. (Matthew 7:13 NIV)
Acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through death on the cross and resurrection three days later is a good thing and it is where the Christian journey begins. However, if that is where your Christian journey ends then there is much more missing.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23 NIV)
...BUT only the one who does the will of my Father...
In Matthew 5:17-48, Jesus runs through several of the standards set out in the Ten Commandments and even tells us to take them all one step further. God's will is still that His people live a life of righteousness. Jesus didn't come to change that so we could do as we please.
In Matthew 6 and 7 Jesus touches on the manner in which we should help those in need, offer our prayers to God, and fast. He says that we should cherish heavenly treasures over earthly ones. He also talks of how much God loves us and desires to care for our needs. He tells us there is no sense in worrying because God will provide. He tells us not to judge others for their wrongs because we have issues ourselves that we should be more concerned with. He tells us to seek after God and we will not be disappointed.
After telling us the way that we should live Jesus says:
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24 NIV)
He goes on to explain that rock is a strong foundation and if you build upon it then when storms come and the house is shaken it will not fall. Here it is! Jesus gave us a blueprint on how to live our lives so that they would be set upon a strong foundation!
Saying the sinner's prayer and stopping there is like saying "I'm going to build a house!" and then throwing one brick out onto a field, dusting off your hands and saying "There. All done!". When struggles come your way there is not enough foundation in your faith to stand upon. There is no shelter from the storm. When sickness hits, when a loved one hurts you, when your friends disappear, when there isn't enough money to pay the bills... you will fall off of that foundation and you will fall away from God.
When the sinner's prayer is the beginning of your journey and you build off of it by living a life that seeks righteousness, loves others, offers forgiveness rather than seeking revenge, recognizes and helps those in need, that prays and fasts, that values heavenly treasure over worldly treasure, and gives worry over to God and seeks Him out...that is a life set upon a rock. When the storms come you will know how to love, to forgive, to pray, to fast and to seek God. You will know where your real treasure is. You will not worry because you know your God is in control. You will have found the narrow path.
It is time for us to recognize that our faith that God is real is not enough.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2:19 NIV)
It is time to recognize that our actions are not enough.
Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:22, 23 NIV)
It is the combination of faith and action that will result in a strong, healthy and fruitful relationship with God that will lead you to salvation. It doesn't sound easy and it isn't. It is hard work but it is definately worth it!
