Thanksgiving Day is past and now we start the countdown to Christmas.
How sad it is to see the rush to fill the false reason for celebrating
Christmas. It should cause our hearts to desire more than ever to be the
expression of Christ in the world. Why? So that those around us will see a
different way of living and desire after the One who has made the change.

Jesus warns hearers of the Sermon on the Mount,
"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that
leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it." Matthew 7:13

This season let us be sensitive to those who maybe heading for the wide
gate. In preparation let us look into Scripture to see some specific things
concerning this destructive way.

Concerning the broad way; the path of sin:
"The way of the fool is right in his own eyes..." Proverbs 12:15

"There is a way which seems right to man,
But its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12

"The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord..." Proverbs 15:9

Isaiah 59:2 says,
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you..."

"They do not know the way of peace,
And there is no justice in their tracks;
They have made their paths crooked;
Whoever treads on them does not know peace." Isaiah 59:8

The result for those who take the broad way:
The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 3:18-19,
"For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping,
that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction,
whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set
their minds on earthly things."

"For the wages of sin is death...." Romans 6:23

We all have family and friends who do not know Christ Jesus as Savior and
Lord. Let us pray diligently for the Holy Spirit to prepare these hearts
that they may see, hear and receive the only true gift of Christmas.

"For the way is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are
those who find it." Matthew 7:14

As Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16,
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

All praise and glory to Christ Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life!
Amen