"What are we aiming for?" was the subject of my last post. Our most important goal in life should be to get to heaven. We need to look for the strait narrow gate and be willing to travel the road "that is hard to follow." We know eternal life will be worth whatever "light affliction" we go through on earth.
Simply put, sin is what keeps us from hitting our target. One of the definitions of sin is literally to "miss the mark." Consider Romans 3:23 - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." On our own, we miss the mark of perfection. But because God loves us we are "justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood to be received by faith." (Romans 3:24-25 ESV)
So we know we miss the mark. We can't have good aim without the help of God. He gave us His grace as a gift. Our redemption is found in the blood of Christ. It is to be received by faith. Isn't it wonderful to know that we can obtain this gift?
We must receive this gift through faith. This faith is an obedient faith. Again look at Matthew 7:13-14. The way to eternal life is through a narrow gate and the road there is hard to follow. (Easy to Read Version). Faith is different than belief. We can say we believe all day long and not seek that gate or travel that hard road.
The inspired writer of Hebrews says it is impossible to please God without faith. Not only do we have to believe He exists, but we have to believe that He rewards those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6) The way through that narrow gate involves so much more than simply believing He is. We have to understand who He rewards. Scripture points it out very clearly. God only rewards those who seek Him.
To reach our goal, then - to "hit" what we aim for - we must be willing to know what to do to please the Savior. OK -- how do we do that? Jesus said "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." (Matthew 11:29) We must learn from Christ. If we want to build our house upon the Rock of Christ we must hear His words and keep them (Matthew 7:24-25)
Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth and the life." And He told us in John 8:32-33 - " ... If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." It is so important to know the will of Christ ... to learn about Him ... to keep His words. The only way to hit our target is through study of the scriptures. That is the way hear His words today.
After we learn of Christ -- after we hear His teachings, we must keep them. We must act upon what we learn. Our faith in His word and our love for His gift us grace is what prompts us to obey His word. If we believe and understand that we are only rewarded when we seek Him -- then we will seek to learn more and more about Him. We will want to draw near to Him. We will want that beautiful reward.
We simply cannot find that narrow gate without looking for it. It will not magically appear in front of our eyes one day. Looking for our target .... studying the word of God .. will expose us to the untold riches of our Lord and Savior. We will discover His love and sacrifice for us. We will long to be with Him just as He longs to be with us.
That's the target isn't it? Eternal life in heaven with God and Christ. Studying God's word helps us learn how to get through that gate. The discovery of His love and grace spurs us to work on our aim.
Christ above all things,
Robin
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