The Narrow Gate

The entrance to St Michael’s Church at Kirkby Malham is given additional security by a gate. Thankfully, a deliberate gap has been made so one can pass through and enter the unlocked south door, and inspect the treasures within. I suspect that for actual Sunday worshippers, the gate is flung wide open.

I confess: while I had to turn sideways to pass through the gap in the gate, one side of my body may have brushed the bars. This served as another reminder that my girth has grown. Previous attempts to remedy this worked, but had unintended consequences. Nevertheless, the time has again come to be more careful about what is shovelled into the mouth. Being overweight no longer indicates wealth and power, and it certainly does not guarantee a jolly, generous personality. One of the most neglected of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control: being able to resist temptation and feed our bellies moderately, finishing before we are full to bursting. I am not infrequently offered hospitality and I have regarded accepting a second helping as a compliment to the host, but this just sounds like an excuse.

Whereas alcoholism and tobacco-addiction may be looked down upon, evidence of the over-consumption of food is more acceptable, but it shouldn't be. If the road to heaven is straight and its gate narrow, we ought to watch what we eat. This is not to say that salvation is based upon our BMI or our own efforts and misguided ascetiscism, but it is to say that the work of grace in our hearts will affect the way we live: our speech, our actions, our thoughts, our leisure time -and yes, our width.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.