Many people travel the interstate because there are several lanes going in the same direction, and one can reach their destination faster, because of the higher speed. The rural road is mainly one lane highway in each direction; there is not a lot of traffic and the speed limit is lower.
I am using this analogy because it is more understandable; Jesus used natural situations to bring about a spiritual meaning. When Jesus talked to His disciples (his students), He said enter the narrow gate; this a statement meaning: “You enter the narrow gate.”
The Narrow Way
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction [suffer loss of rewards], 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).
Many well known scholars say this is talking about heaven and hell. One thing for certain, these scriptures are not referring to hell. Jesus is not talking about salvation or going to hell; He’s talking about the Christian walk. Remember His disciples were born again. I find it quite interesting that in the verses after that:
Jesus said: “You Will Know Them by Their Fruits”
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them (Matthew 7:15-20).
Jesus not only told those who were/are born again, how important was/is to take the narrow way (“Sold-out”), but He warned them to watch out for false prophets. Jesus also them how they would be able to discern false prophets. My teacher always said: “Find out what the Word is saying, and what it is not saying,”
Brothers and sisters, the same warning and caution id for us today, especially with so many wide road Christians who are church goers only, and they think they’re okay. I stated previously that this does not have anything to do with salvation, because we are sealed and nothing can change that. This is talking about rewards, about ruling, and reigning with Christ. When we do what Christ tells us to do, there are eternal benefits.
Are you one of those Christians who just want to make it in? Are you one of those Christians who choose the easy way out? Are you a Sunday Christian only? Does it matter to you that God has a specific purpose uniquely designed for you? Or are you a Christian who does not mind suffering for righteousness' sake; are you a Christian who will not compromise your spiritual values?
After all that Jesus Christ did for us, we should be willing to be a sacrifice for Him. If you are traveling on the wide road, take a detour, and get on the narrow road, which will take you safely to heaven. The wide road can be dangerous and the consequences are greater.
His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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