The Narrow Path Illuminated

Matthew 7:13-14

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

This passage and idea bring a heavy weight to being a Christ-follower. So much to pull from these verses. I’m not even sure where to begin. They dispel the lies about life according to the world. It makes clear that the narrow gate is correct, despite the intense difficulty. This contradicts the health, wealth and prosperity nonesense indefinitely.

Narrow gate, hard road, few find it. WHY go that way? No wonder it’s not traveled much, right?

C. Spurgeon shares this:

“When shall men put down their selfishness and seek only Christ? When shall they leave their strifes about trifles to rally around his cross! When shall we end the glorification of ourselves and begin to make Him glorious, even to the world’s end? God help us in this matter and kindle in our hearts the old consuming, heart-inflaming fire, which shall make men see that Jesus is all in all to us.”

Maybe I’m taking his quote out of context a bit, but the concept reflects the path issue. The sinful nature gets in the way. We stop or never start loving Jesus. Sometimes we simply aren’t taught that fully surrendering to the Kingdom of God means changing everything. That it means the ‘other’ road.

Most of us secretly reject taking the difficult narrow path. The way Jesus took was narrow, no doubt. The commands of obediance show a way few follow and submit to. But, as with the rest of the Bible, the end result is the focus. Through Jesus is life. Apart from Him there is complete destructure.

Spurgeon IS clearly describe his deep affection for Christ and all that comes with following Him.

The point of Christ dying was to provide rescue for those on the wrong path. I was for years. Didn’t even know it actually; and I didn’t know anyone on the narrow path. I only saw one way.

Then, some great people came along and shined a light over the narrow gate, Jesus. It was hard to see without knowing it was there. Now, my desire to know and be with God has given me strength to accept the difficult path. I desire to finish the race, despite the course, because the prize at the end is amazing beyond all comprehension. Eternity with the Father.

PS: I hesitate day and night while on the narrow path. It is tough. Yet, I refuse to detour.