​The whole essence of Christ’s earthly mission was simple and clear – there are only two ways. One leads to life eternal in heaven and the other to spiritual death and agony for eternity. Jesus refers to the narrow road being the way to eternal life. The narrow way speaks to those who choose to follow Jesus and obey the Father’s will. The narrow way is the way to salvation. There is no other way to the Father except through Jesus. There is no other way to heaven. There is no other way to peace with God and the cleansing blood of Christ.
    The narrow way is not narrow for those who love the Lord. It is a narrow way only in contrast to those who prefer to do life their way instead of God’s way. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33). What are you seeking first in your life? Have you chosen to follow the road that leads to life by becoming a penitent believer, confessing your faith in Jesus as God’s Son, and by being immersed into Christ in the waters of baptism? This is the only way we can have the assurance of heaven’s salvation under the New Covenant of God.  The promise of heaven sharpens our focus.

Clark Tatum

​A Christian’s entire lifestyle, including his home life, social and business activities, are all part of his efforts to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). In these areas of life, each Christian is totally responsible for making his or her own decisions regarding how they live to glorify God. Of course, it is God who confirms whether or not a person is living in such a way to bring glory to Him. Christianity is lived in two realms, individually and collectively as member on the Lord’s team. Team spirit for a ball team is essential for every individual player and every sports fan knows the damage disunity can cause on the team. The Lord and His people are to be the ultimate example of working together in unity, in peace, and with hope.
 
The church family works with the realization that the will, vision, dedication and faith of the church determines what decisions are made to glorify God. We are told, “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). This yielding will be evident in various areas in our life together as we work to glorify Christ. As we submit our individual will to one another in the Body of Christ, we do so to exalt God’s glory!

Clark Tatum

​Today, as in the first century, there are strong pressures to live with a “partial” commitment to God. One religious man was always going around averaging his morality. He said, “I am doing pretty good on an average. I sometimes swear, but I am an honest person. I do not attend worship services, but I do not get drunk.” This same man hired a fellow to build a fence around his pasture. Upon completion he was asked, “Is the fence built tight and strong?” The fence builder replied, “I can’t say it is all tight and strong, but on an average, it is a pretty good fence. I may have left a gap a yard wide or so here and there, but then I made up for it by doubling the rails in other places.” The irreligious man said, “You mean to tell me that you have built a fence around my pasture where my animals can get out in spots? Do you not understand that a fence must be tight and consistent or it is worthless?” The worker implied, “I used to think so until I heard you talking about averaging matters with the Lord. I thought, if it works with the Lord it would seem it would work with a few cows.”

Clark Tatum

​Tom Landry once observed concerning football, “Super Bowl’s never stay won.” Every year when Super Bowl Sunday comes to an end and the champions receive their Super Bowl ring it all starts over for next year. Last year’s victory does not assure this year’s victory. Each year the process starts over again, through work, sweat, and tears. Built into the football championship victory is the struggle to win again.
 
Christians are promised victory year after year. Those who follow Christ are winners and are assured their heavenly prize because of Jesus’ sacrifice. While we are winners in Christ, we still have to face struggles. Your Christian victories of yesterday are past tense. Every day we get up to face a new day and a new challenge as we press on in our journey with Christ Jesus. May you realize that Christianity is not simply a state, it is a process. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Only in the fairy book tales is life smooth sailing. Yet, “in Christ” we are promised we can overcome through the blood of the Lamb (see Revelation 12:11).

Clark Tatum

​We live in a world where we depend heavily on automobiles as our mode of transportation. No doubt most of us come to the church building in an automobile. Automobiles engines are powerful, but that power is of no value to us until we turn on the engine. Therefore, the little piece of metal we call a “key” becomes important to us. When you get in your car to come to a church assembly you would not get in your care and expect it to start without a key. In essence, the key becomes the instrument through which the engine’s power becomes available to you.
 
As our car keys are the instrument through which the engine’s power becomes available to us in the physical realm, our “faith” is the key through which God’s power becomes available to us in the spiritual realm. The Bible reads, “Without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). We place our faith in many things, but the key to a victorious life in Jesus, is a God centered faith.  

Clark Tatum