"The easy way is always the wrong way in the Kingdom of God."  Dale Milligan used to say that a lot.  He had strong, scriptural support for the idea.  Jesus put it this way, ¹³“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. ¹⁴But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." Matthew 7:13-14 NLT

While salvation is a gift, and grace is free, the life we live in Jesus Christ is the biggest challenge we ever face in life.  Why?  Because even after Jesus becomes Lord and Savior of our lives, we still have our "old nature" to deal with at every moment.  While we make resolutions and vows to change, many times those resolutions and vows go unrealized, because we seek to fulfill them in our own power, rather than truly letting the Holy Spirit lead and empower us to grow and change.  The reason so many choose the easy way in life, even after trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord is simply that the easy way is, well, EASY.  Jesus reminded us the gate to the Kingdom of God is narrow and the road is difficult.  We will face many challenges in 2012, as we commit to putting Jesus first in our lives.  Some offer an easy version of following Jesus in our day, complete with perfect health, abundant wealth and a solution for every problem that comes our way.  Jesus never offered such a version of following Him.  In fact, He said if any want to follow Him we must deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily.  Doesn't sound too easy, does it?

As we move into 2012, my prayer is we will commit to Jesus AND to the challenges of following Him through the narrow gate and on the difficult way.  That's my prayer, because I know that is the way that leads to LIFE--abundant life now and eternal life with Jesus later.  In this new year of 2012, I'm committed to making Jesus my Lord, my destination and my home.  I pray you are, too!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us a way that isn't easy, but that leads to life--now and forever!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may choose the more difficult and better way that leads us to You, through Your Son Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.