Christians are called to take the road less traveled and to take up their cross daily (Luke 9:23). Jesus spoke about serving God unreservedly. He also warned that worldly values and distractions would interfere with our focus on God and that maintaining a vibrant faith requires diligence and discipline. Believers are called out of the world and do not belong to the world (John 15:19).
In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus taught, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
The narrow road is not an easy journey nor is it a popular one. The exclusivity of authentic Christianity dictates that Jesus is the only path to heaven. Jesus declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through Me.” John 14:6).
And Acts 4:11-12 proclaims, “Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” There are not many truths – there is only one truth, and all other perceived truths are untrue. This is construed today as being narrow minded, while being broad minded is considered virtuous.
THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE
Our pluralistic society tells us there are many choices, many gates and many ways to heaven. Today’s culture encourages people to travel the wide road and experience all it has to offer. Everyone is acceptable and tolerance is revered. No one wins but no one loses either. Take the path of least resistance and receive a ribbon just for participation.
The broad road has no restrictions and no accountability for one’s actions. All choices are celebrated (including sin), morality is subjective, inclusivity is epitomized, pluralism is preferred and relativism reigns supreme. All are welcome and all worldviews are tolerated. Furthermore, our culture is everchanging and fluid, with no solid foundation or nonnegotiable governing principles, therefore, unable to distinguish between good and evil.
No one is condemned or judged on the wide road. Promiscuity, pornography, perversion, pedophilia and homosexuality are permissible lifestyle choices. Adultery and divorce are acceptable because marriage is too restricting. Gender has become a confusing concept and those who promote diversity are open to a rainbow of lifestyles but reject Christianity and pro-life messages are considered hate speech.
The broad road facilitates drug abuse, alcoholism and self-indulgence. It enables self-absorption, self-abuse, self-punishment and self-destruction in the name of freedom. It is the path of the undisciplined, undiscerning, unrepentant and unwise. Cultural norms have morphed into extremes that reflect a society that has lost its way. The Bible warns “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” (Isaiah 5:20).
Today’s culture believes people can live lives of self-indulgence, self-gratification and self-centeredness and is more concerned with virtue signaling than authentic virtue. Interestingly, self-righteousness was the Achilles heel of the Pharisees that resulted in the brunt of their chastisement from Jesus. Sadly, proponents of the broad road speak of all that is available to its travelers except its destination.
THERE IS A CHOICE TO BE MADE
Contrary to what society teaches, Jesus proclaimed there are only two gates, two paths, and two destinations. He also said there are two groups of people on life’s journey. The many and the few. There is a choice to be made for those who seek the salvation that Christ offers. There is one small gate and that gate is Christ. In John 10:9, Jesus declares, “I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved.”
Those who travel the narrow path often find themselves alone. The vast majority of people choose the broad road and are destined for destruction. To take the road less travelled requires courage and resolve. Olympians do not become champions by taking the path of least resistance. They sacrifice time with family and friends in order to practice their craft. They exercise discipline and dedication that pay off in precision and perseverance. Excellence is both difficult and rare.
Even of those who profess to believe – many live without Jesus. They are Christians without Christ and are indistinguishable from unbelievers in the way they live, the way they talk and the things they value. They have one foot in the world and one foot in the kingdom of God. They are walking the broad road and expect to arrive at the narrow gate. This posture is not only impractical, it is unstable.
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24).
And Paul proclaims in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” Yet many people who identify as Christians have never abandoned their old selves and continue to live as the old creation. They will tell you, “God knows my heart.” But Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:16).
WALKING THE NARROW ROAD REQUIRES SELF-DISCIPLINE
Hebrews 12:8 teaches us, “If you are not disciplined – and everyone undergoes discipline – then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.” Walking the narrow road requires self-discipline, self-sacrifice, self-denial, and self-surrender. (https://www.partneredwithchrist.com/dying-to-self/) Walking the narrow road necessitates intentionality – success must be sought – triumph must be desired.
People buy lottery tickets because they want something for nothing. They want easy and instant gratification. Yet history teaches that anything worthwhile requires hard work. The broad road is seductive and offers false hope. The broad road is the road to destruction and it is the road of destruction.
The Bible says “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12). It is popular to go with the crowd and easy to blend in with society. That path is easy because everyone who travels it is already lost therefore Satan has no work to do. Conversely, Satan makes life difficult for those on the narrow road in order to cause them to stumble.
Unless we are intentional in our desire to follow Christ, we will not have a deeply rooted faith with the perseverance to weather life’s storms. This is crucial to being among the few who enter through the narrow gate. Jesus said, “but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13).
Jesus declared, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). A great many people who identify as Christians are not authentic believers. In Luke 13:22-28, the writer has this to say: “Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as He made His way to Jerusalem. Someone asked Him, ‘Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?’
He said to them, ‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter but will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir. Open the door for us.’
But He will answer, ‘I do not know you or where you come from.’ Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ But He will reply, ‘I do not know you or where you come from. Away from Me, all you evildoers!’
There will be weeping there and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.’” We live in a fallen world and the only goodness in it is the presence of God. Hell will be devoid of anything good because of the absence of God’s presence.
A SOBERING THOUGHT
It is a sobering thought that only a small percentage of humanity will inherit the kingdom of God. Yet Jesus declared that exact truth and we are witnesses to this potentiality in our civilization. Only a few will be saved.
The popular perception is that God loves everyone; that the vast majority of humans are good and are destined for heaven. Contrarily, scripture teaches the exact opposite. When Jesus tells us to make every effort to enter, He is implying that the narrow path is difficult and requires effort. It takes resolve to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
Jesus promises eternal life to those who truly are His disciples. He doesn’t promise an easy life. However, when we endure in His name there is great reward. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Eternal communion with God is the ultimate recompense for authentic faith. “Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” (Robert Frost).
