The Narrow Path

Two paths to take

The narrow path is the way to the kingdom of heaven. Unfortunately, the path that doesn't make it is wide and not many will find it. It's an unfortunate reality that many people will reject the gospel even though scripture is clear of how we get into heaven through our faith in Jesus Christ.

No one is born into the kingdom of God and receive the title of a child of God. It's a conscious choice that everyone has to make for themselves and if it were not for the power of God nobody would believe and be saved.

There's a seemingly infinite numbers of paths before us in our daily lives, but only one path leads to salvation.

The wide path

The wide path is rather the default path for everyone, that's were we start. We have all sinned and deserve judgement for those sins. The smallest sin tends to have a snowball effect on those around us as it cascades into more and more sin. Every sinful action is recorded in time and is effectively permanent in this life. For God to be good and just, he must stand for justice and punish evil. Our own sense of justice is a reflection of his own perfect justice.

6 Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 14:6

It's a sensitive idea that many people won't make it. It's hard to imagine so many who will be judged. That should be encouragement to share the gospel to everyone every chance we get.

There's a sense of wanting things to be done some other way, but our Father in heaven sets the rules we live by. God has provided a path to follow for us and we have to decide if we will walk it. He presents the door but we have to walk through it ourselves.

22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."
25 "When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:"
26 "Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets."
27 "But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity."
28 "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out."
29 "And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God."
30 "And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last."
Luke 13:22-30

Many will seek to enter into the kingdom in every way except Jesus. People more strongly desire their sins than the love of God. Many choose to reject God's free gift to us for short term pleasures. Giving up all our inheritance for what is eternally nothing and our vain material persuits.

God loves the humble and he setup a means of seperating the sheep from the goats, or the wheat from the tares.

Sin seeps into things and corrupts them. God creates perfection and in due time those who choose to be without him will be seperated so they don't corrupt his perfection. Those who hold on tightly to their baggage of sin refuse to let it go and they end up destroyed with the source of corruption.

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:10-12

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
1 Timothy 2:1-8

We should pray for our leaders and politicians as we seek to live a quiet and peaceful life. God wants everyone to find the narrow path but still honors our free will to reject his offer and covenant. As believers we are strangers in a foreign land.

Jesus is our only mediator between God and men!

The narrow path

So we understand that everyone has this one way ticket to destruction, that's the bad news. The good news is that God provided a path out of destruction for us.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:11-17

When we come to faith and believe in Jesus as our savior and as the prophecied Jewish Messiah, then the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us as his temple just he God dwelled in the tabernacle and the temple in the Old Testament.

Being redeemed through our faith and sealed by the Holy Spirit, we receive the title of children of God.

In John chapter 3 Jesus declares the narrow path to us and how we can see the kingdom of God through being "born again." Born of water with our physical birth and born of the spirit when we recieve faith and salvation.

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
John 3:1-6

Nicodemus thought Jesus was describing a second physical birth, but he was describing a spiritual rebirth or transformation that occurs when someone accepts Jesus.

Jesus is describing a division between what is good and evil--godly, good, and righteous versus what is demonic, evil, and sinful.

7 "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
8 "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, "Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?"
11 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness."
John 3:7-11

Curious statement of born again people being compared to the wind that blows where it desires and no one can tell where it is going, but they can hear it and feel it.

12 "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"
13 "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."
14 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:"
15 "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
John 3:12-17

The heavenly things of God are foreign from our current reality by the seperation between the material and supernatural world. If someone can't believe the things that happen on earth, how can they accept the realities of the supernatural realm?

• Jesus is the only person to ascend into heaven.
• Everyone who believes but receive eternal life.
• Jesus came to save the whole world, it's up to us to accept his free offer.

18 "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
20 "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."
21 "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
John 3:18-21

We begin to sin early in our lives and by the time we become young adults, we have already racked up a lot of sin and evil. God knows this is a tough situation we are in but provides us a way out.

22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:22-30

• John the Baptist confirms who Jesus is and is sent before him

31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 3:31-36

Jesus comes from above in heaven, he has all authority in creation and he was before the foundations of the world as God in the flesh.

• By our faith in Jesus we are sealed and we know that God is true
• All things are given to the Son, Jesus Christ
• Our faith and belief in the sun is the narrow path we must follow

To some it might seem too easy to recieve forgiveness and grace through simply their faith in Jesus, but faith requires our effort to build it and our actions are evidence of our faith. We have to be willing to put time into study and prayer because with all the distractions of life, it's easy to ignore God's calling for us.

Knowing our path

It seems there are infinite paths to choose from but the reality is that there are really only two paths to choose. Once we have an understanding of the narrow and wide paths, we naturally have to wonder what path we are standing on right now.

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Acts 14:21-23

God tells us that being a follower and believer means there will be hard times and trouble directly caused by our faith in Jesus because people hate God and everyone that loves him. Sufferring for Jesus's sake is truly an honor.

Jesus came to divide the wheat from the tares, this division is difficult because we all want everyone to find salvation and we certainly have loved ones who reject the gospel. If God just gives forgiveness though then he compromises on his principle of justice. Our salvation through Jesus preserves God's principle of justice while also providing a way out for us.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:12

Everyone will face persecution to some degree if they truly belong to the Lord. We have to ask ourselves if we have compromised on our faith in order to avoid conflict with popular culture. We have to decide for ourselves that our relationship with Christ is above all else as we strive to become more like him.

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Romans 12:1-3

In Matthew chapter 7 reiterates the reality that the way to salvation is narrow and few find it. It details how we can recognize what path we are on.

11 "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
12 "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
13 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:"
14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Matthew 7:11-14

God gives good gifts to his children even moreso than what an evil person would give his own children.

• We can easily identify the spirit of our path with the golden rule principle of treating people like we would want to be treated.
• All the law is founded on the ideas of loving God and your neighbors.
• The gate that leads to life is straight and narrow.

15 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
16 "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"
17 "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit."
18 "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
19 "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."
20 "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
Matthew 7:15-20

There's many people out there seeking ways to take advantage of others. Mega church preachers who only seek to get rich etc.

• We can know people by their fruits, someone with no regard to righteousness shows that person lacks or has little faith.
• If the source of the fruit is corrupted, then the fruit inevitably gets corrupted too.

21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
22 "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?"
23 "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Matthew 7:21-23

24 "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:"
25 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."
26 "And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:"
27 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Matthew 7:24-29

Doing God's word makes us like wise men that can weather the storms of life.

Staying on course

Everyone has there moments of backsliding and not doing as they should as we all war with the flesh. Sometimes we do things we don't even want to. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
John 8:11-12

If we follow Jesus--the light of the world--then we can't walk in darkness anymore as we align ourselves with God and he shines through us into the world.

1 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."
2 "But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep."
3 "To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out."
4 "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice."
5 "And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers."
John 10:1-5

We have to learn what God's voice sounds like so that we may know when he is speaking and directing us. The main way God speaks to us is through his word.

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 16:21-32

Society has many ideas that seem right to them, but are full of wickedness because they lack the infinite wisdom of God. We make pretty good decisions when we have all the right information. As mortals we just don't have access to all the information like God does to make the best decisions. This is why we are dependent on God to teach us good from evil.

Conclusion

God made an easy way to find salvation but only a few will accept it in the end. He expects obedience but like children we tend to rebel. God knows a child told to not push the red button will probably end up pushing it--though not an excuse for our actions. God understands how enticing and tempting sin is, but always provides a way out or solution to the puzzle. Question is if we will learn to rely on His wisdom rather than our own, to rely on His morality or our own.

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4

If we pass the test of this life, all the hardship and stuggle is infinitesimal compared to the fulfillment and glory of God through us. We are purified in the furnace of life to become the image of God that truly bares his reflection.