The Narrow Way to Life

 The Narrow Way To Life

“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." (Matthew 7:13-14, NKJV)

Jesus did not mince words about the requirement for finding life as opposed to experiencing destruction. By the way, there are no in-betweens. One either experiences life in its fullness (abundant life in Jesus - John 10:10) or destruction in the camp of the devil, who is the accuser of believers (Revelation 12:10) and Satan himself. If one is not on the way to life then he or she is on the way to death - the broad and comfortable way. The broad way is the way of easy believism; the way of the so-called progressive Christianity which is heresy; the way of compromise; the way of half-truths and deception; the way of carnality; the way of political correctness; the way of wokeism; the way of sexual immorality including fornication, adultery, homosexuality and transgenderism; the way of unbelief; the way of pluralism and relativism. The list goes on and on. 

We read in Scripture, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15). The love of the world is not found on the narrow path and the individuals described in the following passage of Scripture are treading the broad way that leads to destruction - "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

The question that arises is this: Which path are you on? God in His love and mercy wants everyone to choose the narrow path. Will you? What does the narrow path involve? It is important to remember that the narrow way is difficult, meaning that it involves sacrifice, persistence, endurance, suffering and bearing one's cross daily. Whatever your cross is, it will emphasise the narrowness and difficulty of the path that leads to life. What exactly is the meaning of all this? That there is no shortcut to our walk of faith; the Christian faith is not a walk in the park and we are involved in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-13). The narrow path is not the path of glamour or sensationalism; it requires death to self which means surrendering everything to Jesus. Are you holding anything back from Jesus?

It is tempting to think that miracles are an indication that one is on the narrow path. However while miracles will continue to occur amongst believers because of God's love and mercy, they are not necessarily an indication of right standing with God. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:21-23). The broad way focuses on ostentation, sensationalism, and self-aggrandisement. There is a tendency for many to think that the miraculous authenticates their ministry. Nothing could be further from the truth. That one performs miracles does not mean that he or she is living a holy life and in obedience to God. The broad way accommodates everything that is contrary to God's Word and relegates God to the background. The narrow path embraces difficulty but the one on the narrow path is guaranteed life and success in God's calling upon his or her life. 

So, each of us has a choice - the narrow way or the broad way. Which will you go for? May God give you the strength and courage to choose wisely. Have a blessed day.