Two Ways; Which One are You Taking? 8-19-25

BIBLICAL Facts - Not Opinions! My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because you have rejected knowledge (Hosea 4:6)

Please pay close attention to what these scriptures are saying. To be perfectly honest I have to read the same thing over and over again, and it takes more time and effort; but I am willing to do whatever it takes to get the proper understanding.

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:13-14).

Let’s take it step by step- The Narrow Way

1)      Jesus is talking to His disciples (saved people, which also represents us)

2)      He said “Enter” which actually means “You enter”

3)      Jesus tells them to enter the “narrow gate” which means it’s going to be tight, but it’s the best way to take. You will go through some hard trials, tribulations, and persecutions, but it will be well worth your while. This is the reason why- Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11-12).

4)      To sum up the narrow gate – It’s not easy; in fact, it is a difficult life, but our rewards will be great! The scripture plainly tells us- Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Paul the apostle was a prime example of a born again believer suffering: Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep (2 Corinthians 11:25).

5)      My brothers and sisters, the Bible tells us that few will “sell out” compared to the many Christians who take the broad (easy) way. From the Jews five times received forty stripes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;  in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:24-29).

The Broad [Wide] Gate that leads to destruction

1)      Let’s look at the word destruction- it definitely does not mean hell, because Hosea used the same word talking about God’s people who suffered loss of rewards because of their lack of knowledge. Even worse, they rejected knowledge. The scripture says there is no new thing under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9b), that also applies in our time.

2)      When Jesus says many take the wide way, this referring to carnal Christians who

appease to their fleshly desires. In other words, they are acting just like unsaved people. You cannot see any fruit/light in their lives because they take the wide (broad) way.

3)      These are the Christians who will not receive rewards in heaven (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).

Bottom line- one either chooses on way or the other. Question: Which way are you taking? Are you “Sold Out?”

His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org