WHICH ROAD ARE YOU ON?

Matthew 7:13-14; “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Are you traveling on the right road?

Or perhaps you are on the right path but are meeting with great difficulty along the way, but may YAHWEH use this message to pinpoint exactly where you are on your journey home.

There are many roads that we can run as we travel on this pilgrim way. Some are difficult for sure. Others may seem to be an easy way out of all of our troubles but bring death to our souls.

1. Let's look into the Map of YAHWEH's Word and allow the Holy Spirit as our Guide to show us exactly where we are located:

• The Road of Suffering: Job 30:13; "They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper."

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• Lamentations 1:4; "The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness."

We may find ourselves on the Road of Suffering because of something that we did that was contrary to YAHWEH's Word.

1. Then again, we may meet with troubles along the way because others have stirred them up against us: Job 30:13; “They break up my path, they promote my calamity; they have no helper.”

Job spoke of those who would come along and "mar" our "path" and "set forward" our "calamity."

What did he mean by this?

This imagery is taken from a war scene. It is as though someone came along and tore up the way, destroyed our defense system, blew up every communication device, and stopped all the water supplies, making it impossible to proceed. This seemingly irreparable damage is done by individuals who feel it is their mission to hasten our fall, affliction, calamity, and ruin; and in some unmistakable way, they feel as though they profit from it all. Hence, they promote our misery, urge it onward, triumph in it, and do all they can to "wipe us out."

Figuratively speaking; "mar my path," as used in this verse, is terminology relating to being falsely accused or misrepresented.

Saints of YAHWEH!!!

Do you feel as though you are on this particular Road of Suffering?

Have others "marred your path" falsely accused or misrepresented you?

At this time, are you confronting people who are set on your destruction?

The Road of Suffering also includes another path; one of our own making.

1. The Prophet Jeremiah painted a scene, depicting the sorrow of a people who once wholeheartedly loved and served the LORD GOD: Lamentation 1:4; "He described their forlorn condition in this manner, "The ways of Zion do mourn because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate."

Zion was the name given to the Holy City of Jerusalem. It was the hub of religious life. Here the people frequented the temple at the appointed seasons to observe the feasts and to offer the respective sacrifices unto the LORD. However, Jeremiah envisioned a different picture here. He saw the pathway leading to the Holy City overgrown with grass and weeds, but no longer did the people tread these paths. No longer were they interested in observing the sacred solemnities. The result?

Mourning, misery, distress, and desolation. Are you traveling this Road of Suffering today?

Have you lost interest in spiritual matters and become consumed with a love for this world?

At one time, did you have a disciplined prayer life and Bible study time, only to now find yourself struggling to find any time for YAHWEH?

Did you once have a love for fellowship with other Believers and now find yourself "hanging out" with sinners and frequenting their places of amusement?

1. The Road of Deliverance: Isaiah 49:11; "And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted."

• Isaiah 57:14; "And shall say, cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of My people."

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• Luke 3:5; "Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth."

Today you may be traveling along the Road of Deliverance and finding it a most exciting path. All your "mountains" are becoming a "way."

They are becoming an even, level plain; an easy road on which to travel, but all obstacles or difficulties; "stumbling blocks" are being removed.

These typify difficulties, hindrances, and discouragements along the way. The "crooked" places are being made "straight," and the "rough ways" are "smooth."

This is indeed the Road of Power and Victory. It is the Road where the Word of YAHWEH is in full operation in your life. And it is the Road assigned to every Believer.

1. The Road to Destruction: Matthew 7:13; "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."

This is the path where you will find the multitudes. It is the Road traveled by most. Why?

Simply because it is the path of least resistance. Here you will find no checks or restraints on your fleshly appetites or passions. Anything goes. Everyone wanders aimlessly, following after the sight of their own eyes and the way of their deceived hearts. Are you traveling on this broad road that leads to destruction?

Are you following the crowds to Hell?

Are you floating downstream with the multitudes rather than taking a bold stand for Jesus?

1. The Road to Life: Matthew 7:14; "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

There is no question about it. The Road to Life is a "narrow" path; because only a few are traveling on it. Why?

Because it is a way that is hard on the flesh. Its requirements are grueling at times. It demands a total denial of self, a clear-cut forsaking of this world and its pleasures, a constant check on the body's appetites and passions, affliction and much tribulation, along with a serious program for godliness in thought, word, and deed. How about you, O Christian?

Are you traveling along this road of life?

Have you allowed YAHWEH to hedge you in with His divine law?

• Colossians 3:3; "Can it be said of you that "ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in GOD?"

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• Galatians 2:20; "Are you "crucified with Christ," allowing Him to live His life through you?"

When people meet you, are they touched by YAHWEH's Life, emanating from your being?

It can only be so if you are "dead," and Yeshua is "alive" in you.

1. The Road of Deception: Isaiah 59:8; "The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace."

This road is traveled by those who are full of selfishness, oppression, and cruelty. They "know not" "the way of peace" because they have chosen the "crooked paths" the paths of dishonesty, fraud, and deceit rather than the straight paths of honesty, sincerity, truth, and uprightness. How about you?

Are you walking in "peace" today?

• Acts 24:16; "Do you have a "conscience void of offense toward GOD, and toward men?"

Or have you been dishonest and unfair in your treatment of others?

Have you...taken advantage of another?

...deceived and tricked others for your own selfish gain?

...been unfaithful in your commitments and relationships?

...failed to keep your word?

• Isaiah 59:8; "If so, it is no wonder that you "know not" "the way of peace."

It is no wonder that you live in constant strife, agitation, and turmoil.

1. Lying and living a lie will keep you on the road of deception and eventually cross with the road to eternal destruction: Revelation 21:8; "We must never forget what the Scripture says, "All liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

Where are you at this present moment?

Which Road are you traveling on?

Should you be on a different path?

You may need to stop what you are doing and repent; or turn around, and get back on the road that leads to life everlasting:

There is still some time.

Don't put it off any longer.

Tomorrow may be too late.

I WOULD RATHER BE UNCOMFORTABLE IN YESHUA...THEN COMFORTABLE WITH SATAN!!

"IF YOU'RE NOT WINNING SOULS FOR YESHUA...YOU DON'T WORK FOR YAHWEH...YOU'RE SELF-EMPLOYED!!"