"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.”
What does Jesus mean by referring to a wide or narrow gate?
We find some insight in James 2:19 when it says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” James is saying that recognizing the existence of God isn’t faith, it’s just acknowledgement, and later in the chapter he states that acknowledging scripture without doing what it says, is the wide gate of deceiving yourself.
In our passage this morning Jesus references the wide, well-traveled road that leads to destruction. Its lack of doctrine allows us to lead ourselves and does not offend our flesh. It doesn’t call for remorse or repentance … doesn’t even call for change. Instead, it permits us to claim Christianity without transformation. We rename and normalize depravity and modify scripture to fit “our truth”. We accept His Mercy without acknowledging His Lordship. That has never been God’s offer and unfortunately, many take this path.
What about you? Have you died to yourself and committed to following Jesus? Christianity is not an additive to your life , it’s a replacement… it defines you. It ends your old existence and begins a new one … The gospel is clear on that point. If your Pastor never offends your sinful flesh, and doesn’t prompt you to change… then he’s not preaching, he’s just entertaining. If there is no evidence of the Holy Spirit redeeming your life, you may still be on the wide road to destruction… and you don’t have to be.
Accept God’s offer today and be reborn… The narrow road is narrow, but it is well marked by fruitful changes in your life. It transforms you into a new creation who lives a different way. Acknowledging the narrow way, and walking it, are two different things… Place your faith in Christ today. Give Him Lordship of your life and set out on the beautiful narrow path that sets you free.
"The false prophet is a man who has no 'strait gate' or 'narrow way' in his gospel. He has nothing which is offensive to the natural man; he pleases all." - Martyn Lloyd-Jones
