Beatitudes Series Part 14:
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We are now continuing our Bible Study- The Beatitudes Series, Sermon on The Mount: Part 14 Enter at the Strait Gate
Key Verses of Discussion
Matthew 7:12-14
If you’re joining me today, I’m so glad you’re here. Take a moment to settle in—grab a fresh, hot cup of coffee or tea, your Bible, and maybe a notebook—and let’s spend some intentional time in God’s Word together.
In the last devotion, we explored “Better Than What We Deserve” in our Beatitudes Bible Study Series. We continue with the Sermon on the Mount with Strait Is The Gate, Jesus continues to guide us in how to live, treat others, and warns that the true path He wants us to follow is a narrow one. If you missed it, be sure to go back and read Beatitudes Series Part 13.
As we continue our study of the Beatitudes, there is so much to unpack. We’re taking this journey slowly and intentionally, because even a few verses can hold deep wisdom and truth. Studying the Bible isn’t about rushing to the finish—it’s about growing, understanding, and drawing closer to God with each step.
Let’s continue walking through this Beatitudes Bible Study together, learning what Jesus teaches and applying His truth to our daily lives.
Treating Others
Matthew 7:12-14
Romans 13:8
Luke 13:24
Isaiah 35:8
1Peter 1:15-16
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men shoud do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12
How To Treat Others
Treating others with kindness is an honorable way to live, even toward those who are unkind to you; we are still to be kind. When studying the Bible, it’s easy to misinterpret the scriptures if we don’t read the context of the verses surrounding it or even check on refrenceing that verse. Before we go any further, let’s cross-reference this verse and see if we can get more clarity from it. Not that Jesus is not being clear, but that our interpretation may be what is misunderstood. When Jesus spoke the parables, most are timeless, but others may have a deeper meaning, especially when we put them into the perspective of that time and the customs of those days.
Romans 13:8 “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”
Love one another is parallel expressed in both passages; this one goes on to say, “Owe no man any thing,” so this is treating others by being fair, don’t take advantage of others’ kindness by not restoring back to them what you have taken or borrowed.
Enter The Strait Gate
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
Strait Gate
Jesus instructs us not to conform to the world. When one trusts in Jesus Christ through repentance, they are a new creature. This does not mean we are made imperfect; we still have fleshly desires, but those are pushed away the closer we come into fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is our guide, our conscience that warns us from right or wrong.
The path to destruction is the one we are on when we are born; the destruction of sin is a path we are already walking. Jesus is the narrow way; He is the only way to heaven that gives us eternal life through the redemption of our sins. This is not a reaction to what we have done, but what Jesus has done!
Christian Life Is Not Perfection
Don’t be swept into the illusion that a Christian life is perfect; it’s not! But I will say that it leads to a refining process that we endure for the rest of our lives. The less we rely on our own knowledge and abilities, and focus more on what Jesus guides us through, the more light will shine through us. Being a Christian is not hard when we have a passion to be in fellowship with our Heavenly Father. To confess our shortcomings daily, to die to the flesh and be renewed daily with the Holy Spirit. This is a constant choice to make; it’s not a one-and-done.
Salvation IS Eternal Life
Yes, salvation is the acceptance, repentance through Jesus Christ, eternal life, and your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life in Heaven! This does not give us a free run to sin and do as we please. We are now reborn and new creatures; our desires are not like the ones we had before we knew Jesus as Savior. One’s true desires become those to further the Kingdom of Heaven, to share the love and saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many still need to hear what the unconditional love of God has for us. These people have the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior, be forgiven, and become brothers or sisters in Christ.
Are we doing enough?
Are we sharing God’s love?
Often, I fall guilty of this myself. When I have an opportunity, I walk past because of my own discomfort. We are the hands and feet of Jesus. The commission for all Christians is to spread the salvation message to everyone we meet. Let us be more educated in God’s Word, so that we are ready to share with others we may meet at any time. Even sharing loving kindness is still a witnessing action. This world is full of grim and desperation, but if we share the light of God’s love towards others, this in itself will be appealing for them to want to have what you have, and that is when you can share with them the gospel of Jesus.
Be Graceful and Forgiving
Why does God not take us home directly after we accept Jesus Christ and have eternal life? What is Jesus’ last message before He ascended to heaven?
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
Matthew 28:19-20
This World Is Not Our Home
This world is temporal; it’s a blink in time compared to the eternal life that we have to look forward to, one without sin, destruction, heartache, or goodbyes. Accepting Jesus Christ is our lifeline. God Himself came in the flesh as man to redeem us, because nobody in all of humanity could ever be pure enough to be the Sacrificial Lamb to take our place in death. Jesus defeated death in your and my place. Remember it’s not what we have done, but what Christ has done. He completed the gap that separated us from God. He is the way, the truth, and the life! The more I reflect on the love He has for me, the more I want to be closer to Him.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds shoue be reproved. “ John 3:14-20
What can you do today to draw closer to God?
Are there sins needing repentance?
How can you be prepared to spread the gospel message to others?
Please join me in prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to be forgiven of our sins and to have eternal life with You. I am amazed that I don’t have to wait to have fellowship with You. You are always just a prayer away. I ask that You forgive me of my shortcomings, guide me to be the light that You would have me to be. I ask that we take this warning and be reminded that the road to destruction is a broad path, and the way to righteous living is narrow. May You help us to be more wise and vigilant in spreading the light of the gospel to others. I ask that You be with those that have joined me through these devotions, and look forward to discovering the remaining portions of the Sermon on the Mount, the wisdom You shared with the disciples still applies to our lives today. May it be our guiding path to become more refined each day to have the love and light from You shine through us. Be with those who are sick, comfort those who have lost loved ones, and may individuals who do not know You as their Savior, have the opportunity to repent of their sins and have their name written in the Lamb’s Book of Eternal Life. We ask this in Your precious Holy Name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
If you have more questions on what the Bible says about Salvation, there is a small video with Scripture that is called The Roman Road- Map Of Salvation, plus a free printable PDF that has all the Scriptures on one page you can use and print as a reference guide or even to hand out while sharing the gospel message with others.
These are not for sale; please respect the copyright.
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Quick Note:
Some Bible studies may take longer than others, as I am often led to explain certain verses in greater detail. I want you to know that these blog posts are written straight from my heart - they are not created by AI, so if you pay close attention, you may find my little nuggets of imperfections! What you read here are my own thoughts and reflections, guided by where God leads me.
I am not a professional; I’m simply a southern wife and mother of five with a deep desire to share the truth of our loving Heavenly Father. He loves you, and He longs to have a relationship with you. We are not called to be perfect, but we are called to be led by Him.
God has placed so much on my heart to share, and my prayer is that these words bless and encourage you. I’m not here for recognition or fame - only to spread the message of God’s love to you, my new friend, and to many others.
