Narrow is the way

[Scott Hutchinson]

And the thing is,when one requires things that are hard to prove by the word of God,it's leads to endless debates that gender strife,and too it's unpeaceable trying to meet demands and expectations that are not rooted in scripture or have true biblical basis to them.
It's lead one to feel like they can never measure up,and that leads to false condemnation,God's commandments are not grievious,and God asks for reasonable,not unreasonable service.

[Thinking]

I don't want to get into any worms tonight either, but I believe a solid case can be made to demonstrate a substantial difference between make-up and hairspray and the revealing of a toe, but that's not at the core of the question. The question is: What is the narrow way? How do we know when we're there? How do we know when we stray? How can we help direct others to the narrow way?

[Thinking]

Scott, I believe you're onto something when you speak of reasonable service...but then what seems reasonable to you, may definitely feel unreasonable to me.

[Scott Hutchinson]

My best answer would be are we living up to what God requires in His word ?Which requires diligent study and a consistent prayer life,and how much does one listen to The Holy Ghost and follow it's leading.

[*AQuietPlace*]

For me, I know I'm living the narrow way when I'm truly trying to follow Jesus, and live by his example. Sacrificing my time and energy to help others, giving of myself and my resources, being scrupulously honest, giving a smile and lending a helping hand whenever I can. Not living for ME, but for others. I struggle with this. I'd rather tell everyone else to jump in the creek, and live my life for myself alone. I'm selfish like that. But to follow Jesus, I can NOT live that way.

I have to truly love God and love my neighbor.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Originally Posted by Thinking

Scott, I believe you're onto something when you speak of reasonable service...but then what seems reasonable to you, may definitely feel unreasonable to me.

In essential matters the bible is a level playing field for instance it's wrong for me to murder,as well as it is wrong for everybody else to do the same.

But we might differ in non-salvational matters for instance,you might feel convicted agains't wearing short sleeves,whereas I could but as long as we both don't violate the biblical principle of modesty,then to me we both could be acceptable to God.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

For me, I know I'm living the narrow way when I'm truly trying to follow Jesus, and live by his example. Sacrificing my time and energy to help others, giving of myself and my resources, being scrupulously honest, giving a smile and lending a helping hand whenever I can. Not living for ME, but for others. I struggle with this. I'd rather tell everyone else to jump in the creek, and live my life for myself alone. I'm selfish like that. But to follow Jesus, I can NOT live that way.

I have to truly love God and love my neighbor.

If you love God,then loving your neighbor will be a offshoot of your love for God,becauseif you love the creator with your heart,mind,soul,strength then loving His creation would follow.

[Thinking]

A powerful scripture that I think of often is Paul's words to the church at Philippi: "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Perhaps if we truly do this...with fear and trembling...we will be less likely to stray from the narrow.

I still wonder though: Could your path be more narrow than mine, and yet be God's path? Else what is there to work out? Maybe, as you suggested, Scott, it is such small things as sleeve length, what constitutes jewelry, and which kinds of screens are holy.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Working out your salvation means to live out your salvation with reverence and a sacredness about you.
Thinking you might feel that in your concecration to God you might that are things you can't do where somebody else might have liberty in certain areas,you might in your concecration to God,you shouldn't eat I might feel I can eat a candy-bar,I shouldn't flaunt my liberty in front of you neither should you condemn me.
That's a radical example but a biblical priciple,God is not a cookie-cutter who cuts everybody out of the same mold.

[Scott Hutchinson]

While I'm posting if someone has stricter convictions that me,and they are doing what they do to please God my ball is in their court,I respect that.