“Enter through the narrow gate because the wide gate and broad path is the way that leads to destruction—nearly everyone chooses that crowded road! The narrow gate and the difficult way leads to eternal life—so few even find it!” Matthew 7:13-14
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you that today I have set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Oh, that you would choose life; that you and your children might live!” Deuteronomy 30:19 TPT
The Christian life is compared to entering a narrow gate and walking down a narrow path; rather than the wide gate which leads to the spacious and broad path. The narrow path leads to life and the spacious path leads to destruction. There are many that enter through the wide, but few that enter the narrow.
We have to intentionally choose Christ’s way rather than simply follow the crowd (“…For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him…” 1 Chronicles 28:9 NLT) . Sometimes I look for easy ways to get through life. The wide gate is easy to see, there are crowds going through that gate, it’s where most of our friends are. We can carry all of our “stuff” with us on that path, and we don’t need to lay anything down. It feels comfortable, we can stop anytime we want to and for as long as we want, there is no one to prompt us along on our journey. It feels like there may be an element of control for people on this path, it’s “every man for himself”, it’s okay to wear a mask and people aren’t expected to be accountable or responsible. To some this feels free!
I’m on the narrow path and it’s different. I had to look for it to find it, and I really had to choose this as the way I wanted to go. What I notice about the gate and path is there’s not much room for baggage; I need to lay down some of my “stuff” at the entrance. This path may not be really comfortable, it is difficult at times, I may fall, slip or slide, but the best part about it is there’s always someone to help me up. This path is not real crowded, but I found helpful people and community.
If you decide to take this path, here are some things you may find difficult. Others may not understand and may ridicule you. The road is narrow, and it winds around; you can’t see very far ahead. It goes uphill; sometimes through water or fire; you may encounter a snake on the path; or a lion roaming around, trying to devour you (1 Peter 5:8). As you get further along, you realize it gets narrower and you have to lay more things down and leave them behind. The odd thing is as you do this; you acquire different things in their place. Lay down impatience, you acquire patience; lay down pride, you get humbleness and meekness; lay down control, you get peace and joy; lay down judgmental thinking, and acquire acceptance and gentleness. There is a process of restoration, healing and redemption that occurs on this path. The new things you acquire are easy and light to carry not a burden (Matthew 11:28-30). There’re places to rest, you’re never alone; Jesus walks with you, the Holy Spirit empowers you, and God watches over you. There is safety here and no worry, and most of all you are loved.
The biggest difference in these two paths is where you end up. The wide path brings you to destruction and the narrow brings you to life. It is your choice–choose life!
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