In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus tells us in His Sermon on the Mount that the way to salvation is not easy nor is it easy to find. In fact, the religious way that is made easy leads to destruction. Those who are saved are those who find the narrow gate that is hard to enter because it opens to a way of life that is not “easy” nor is it “wide.” In fact, when an unregenerate person looks at Jesus’ words about salvation, they will always reject them.

22 And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! 25 And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? 26 If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.

33 “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:22-34 (NASB)

As this year, 2020, continues doesn’t it seem that the pressure is continually increasing from every direction to make us fearful? If we are not watchful, that is, careful and circumspect then we could very easily become angry and full of fear about what is going on. However, in doing this are we being faithful disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ or are we returning to our former lives in the darkness? If we fall into fear instead of being faithful then we will look at all the circumstances around us and start to believe the lie that everything is out of control. It may seem to some that is the case, but is it?

The passage I placed at the top of this post (Luke 12:22-34) is amazing. If you haven’t read it, please do so now. God’s people are called to be unworldly. Their unworldliness makes them very different than those who profess to be Christians, but who are simply religious. There is a huge push going on right now throughout the world to redefine Christianity. In the 1990’s and in the early 2000’s Rick Warren was the most visible proponent of the Church Growth movement.

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