Are you a taker?

Matthew 7:14  "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Jesus described the way to life as being a small gate and a narrow road.  His message is that He is the only way through which we may come to God.  But even within that group who says it accepts Him as their Lord and Savior, there is an even smaller portion who find life in the way Jesus meant it.

Many accept Jesus in name for the gift of salvation, then go about their lives as if they've just been given the ultimate "get out of jail free" card.  But notice the words Jesus uses here, as they give a clue as to what He truly offers us.  Notice what He says the road leads to- "life".  He didn't say the narrow road leads to salvation (although it certainly would have been true had He said this instead.)  Jesus offers us more than simply salvation- He offers us life.

Those who accept the gift of salvation but continue living life for themselves and in conformance with the values of the world miss what Jesus is saying that He offers- true life.  It is only through how we live our lives that we can glorify God for what He has done for us.  Without a life that expresses our gratitude for His grace and mercy, we are simply takers. 

Life, as Jesus meant it, involves a level of sacrifice on our part, not just acceptance of a free gift.