A Difficult Road

Lately I am almost constantly reading passages of warning, and about the end times. At the risk of sounding silly, I truly believe that we are closer to the return of Christ than ever. I think that a lot of Christians, myself included, need to step up. 

When I was younger I alway believed that all I had to do was ask Jesus into my heart, and I would have a permanent spot in heaven. While I do believe accepting Jesus as Lord is an important step, I feel like sometimes we fail to see that our everyday journey also must be a testimony to God. 

When Jesus commands us to "take up our cross, and follow" (matt. 16:24)  I don't think He meant when it was convenient, or only on Sunday. 

When Jesus said 

"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 this way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."

I don't think he meant "Oh, just invite me into your heart, and sit through a sermon on Sundays, and you're good to go"

I think I need to challenge myself to seek God constantly, and to search high and low for that narrow road. I think I also need to help other people find it, too. After all, what good is it to walk a difficult road if you're walking it alone?

I want to add these verses from Timothy to my post, as well. I don't really have much to say about them, other than something in my heart stirs when I read it. It's something I can't even explain with words.

Charge In Light Of The Last Days

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 

They are the kind who work their way into people's homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. (Such women are forever followers of new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth) These teachers oppose the trust just as Jannes and Jambres [Egyptian sorcerers who opposed Moses] opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. But they won't get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are."

2 Timothy 3:1-9