The Struggles of a Christian

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”

Many people want to enter the Kingdom of God. And many people think they have found a way in. But is it the right way?

Some people think that they can get in because of who they are or because of a group to which they belong. This is an age-old problem. Every civilization, with very few exceptions, has asserted its gods and its cult of worship over and against those of its neighbors and enemies. The Philistines thought their god Dagon was more powerful than the LORD, until the presence of the Ark caused the idol of Dagon to fall and shatter. The Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians all tried to assert their gods over the LORD, but to no avail.

Of course, this was not lost on the Jews. They, after all, were the chosen people. They were the beloved children of the Holy One of Israel. Because they were the children of Abraham, assuredly they were going to heaven. Or so they thought, and so do Jews still think.

 

On the other hand, there are those who think that their own personal status conditions them for heaven. There are the wealthy and elite of society, whose personal worth and estate cushion them from the changes and chances of the everyday man, until tragedy strikes at their core. Then, in their darkest hour, how does their social status avail them?

Conversely, there are those who think that their personal sufferings make them worthy of God's favor. Often one finds this sort of thinking amongst those afflicted with great disease or tragedy. The MS sufferer who thinks that God will reckon her sufferings as some sort of righteousness or merit. The war widow who considers the sacrifice of her husband a good deed worthy of heaven. The charity worker in a impoverished nation who thinks that his work for the poor and his sacrificing for others earns him eternal merit.

None of these counts for anything in the eyes of the LORD. Social status and wealth are useless to gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. John the Baptist warned against such notions when he told the Jews, “And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” (Mt. 3:9). Belonging to the “right” group will not help you get into heaven. The door is too narrow to enter in herds.

Wealth and fame will not help you enter into heaven, either. The strivings and strugglings necessary to enter the Kingdom will strip you of these trappings, also. The way is treacherous, and the door is narrow. Your wealth and possessions may enable you to do great works of love in this life, but only the treasures of Christ can bring you into paradise.

Likewise, neither will your sufferings and afflictions gain you any favors in entering God's Kingdom. The sufferings you encounter in this life – sickness, famine, death, poverty – all come about as a result of sin. While you may show forth your faith by how you bear up under these things, endurance in and of itself will win you no prize.

There is only one sort of struggle that will win you the prize. That struggle is the wrestling of a repentant heart turned about by faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit works in the heart of the believer to strike fear into the heart on account of sin. The Word of God pierces to the core of our old, evil natures. The light of Christ obliterates our secret desires hidden in the dark corners of our hearts and minds. These workings of God upon your heart and mind will cause terror and dismay. Your inmost being has been invaded, and the Spirit of God has taken up residence within you. Feel the terror due for your sins, and repent of them! Lord, have mercy upon us all!

But that terror is not the end of the matter. Thanks be to God, our heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to the cross to suffer and die as an atonement for our sins. His blood has been shed in the place of ours. Although we feel the brokenness of sin, we need never feel the forsakenness of being left in that condition. God in Christ has reconciled us to Himself. He has taken away your sins! He has broken your evil heart of stone, and has given you a new heart of flesh, beating with the life of Christ, in whom you are joined in death and resurrection, and in whom you live and move and have your being.

Therefore, the end of the struggle is this – believe the Gospel. Believe that Jesus Christ has died for your sins. Believe that the guilt and shame have been removed from you forever. Believe that because you walk with Christ the gates of heaven stand wide open and your heavenly father is ready to receive you with open arms. Believe these words: I forgive you all your sins in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.
 Rev. Ryan McDermott
St. Peter Lutheran Church
Elma, IA
Proper 16C