The Goal is Life

Of course I am generalizing, and these are not all bad things here. But the Gospel is meant to do so much more than point out to you that you are a sinner; it is so much more than facts passing through your brain. The Gospel is meant to give you back your heart. To restore what is broken and to give you a place and a role in God’s epic story, the story we call life.

The church has taken the Gospel and turned it into something unattractive, especially for us men. Would you like to put it to a test? Just for one moment, set aside your sense of duty and obligation. Even the sense of responsibility towards your girlfriend, your wife or even your children. Here goes … if given the choice, how many of you would rather go to church than let’s say, a football match, or fishing, or shooting pool with your buddies. How many of you guys would rather sing fifteen hymns within a hour, than enjoy a BBQ with five other mates talking about the things you really love. It’s not a hard choice for me I tell you.

Now, I’m not here to tell you to stop going to church, please at least wait until you finish reading this book. Church is essential. But there is something we need even more.

Because in reality, our situation cannot be compared to the church we read about in the book of Acts, where people enjoyed church and each other, shared possessions, and that all believers were one of heart and mind. (Acts 4:32)

And although there might be plenty to complain about in our church or community, and we certainly think we have valid and relevant questions and concerns, we seem to have forgotten the “essence of church”. Sadly enough, we haven't really known the essence, because of this simple truth; we have lost the gospel, or rather, it has been stolen from us and as a result, so few get to hear what the "good news" actually is. Many church leaders have lost their way and they have become mere leaders or worse, managers.

I can assure you, as a man you can attend a church or community and not only be totally present and engaged, but you can experience Christ, joy and true freedom. I have attended events where thousands of men achieve precisely that. Crying out there hearts to God in a genuinely free and spontaneous way.

Like I mentioned earlier, when you do not experience freedom, joy, enthusiasm or inspiration, then that is a pretty good indication that things are not going according to plan. Sadly, many religious leaders have been cultivated themselves as young men and woman within the struggling church, and once they join a seminary or college, they run the risk of going into “knowledge and theoretical mode”. The result then being scripture turns into something we are taught and interpret as a list of do’s and don’ts. This ultimately becomes something much worse, something we encounter far too often: religion! Jesus warns both us and the religious experts of the law in Luke chapter 11. “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” (Luke 11:52) Faith becomes religion when it is covered in rules and regulations. When our leaders preach do’s and don’ts it will strip the gospel of what it is meant to achieve; set you free, offer joy, shower you in love, mercy and forgiveness and ultimately life in fullness.

It becomes more and more difficult for our leaders to find someone to take up responsibilities. So in an effort to change direction our religious leaders grab what is the latest fad, the next big thing within the Christian movement. Sadly enough this turns out to be something like “The six steps toward better relationships” or “Learning to love one another in 40 days”. In a nutshell, you go through yet another program and learn new tips and techniques. Not that learning new things is wrong, but, this is not life; this is, even coated with the best intentions, counterfeit. It is fake. It doesn’t bring life at all. At best it’s something like a mild drug. It will help for a while if only a little, but when the effects wear off, you are left with the same symptoms you had before. The problem still remains and is left uncured.

Real change comes from the source, Jesus. He says it himself. I have come to bring Life and have it in full. (John 10:10) Why aren’t we focusing on Him instead of the latest fad?

Although we would like to put the blame on someone (and we will later on in this book), we cannot blame our leaders. We can’t point fingers towards men who haven’t been taught or shown what is truly to be considered a treasure and the road that leads to life. Oh yes, there is actually a path that you can take that leads to life.

“For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the path that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Jesus speaking in Matthew 7:13-14)

Shamefully, I have heard people use this particular part of scripture to point out that certain people are not meant to be saved, whilst referring to that person or otherwise.

And yes, Jesus is referring to heaven and hell. However, I am convinced that Jesus meant something more here. Yes, the gate, which is small, represents heaven and it pains me to think about friends, family and loved ones who gaze upon it and still choose not to enter. But the path, which is narrow, is the journey towards heaven. And Jesus is saying that only a few find it. The road that is broad represents everything that is keeping us from God; sin, lust, temptation, in short; the pull of the enemy. And this road will ultimately lead to a destination where you will receive an everlasting life without Christ our Lord, called Hell.

Both paths are not passive. They require interaction on our part. Jesus is saying that we have a choice here. If you choose the broad path, then you will have to take it. It doesn’t mean you have arrived at your destination. This may take a while, but we know where the path will lead, to destruction. What else is certain is that on this path we will not find Jesus.

But on the other hand, we have the narrow path, and this leads to life. This path is not passive either. This path also requires something from us. On this path we may interact with Christ, we may learn and receive from our companion, who is Jesus himself. And we know that if we take this path, that one day we may enter through the gate and stand before God, our true Father in all his glory.

Knowing which gate to choose offers only understanding as to the choice of the destination. It is the journey that will determine in what kind of state our heart, mind and soul will be in once we arrive there.