INTO THE NARROW GATE

Heading to a new location without proper directions can be very cumbersome. To save on time and unnecessary strain, it is wise to find the directions to your destination prior to your journey. This is the most logical thing to do but with the fast-rising technological era, things have really transitioned. Presently, there is a provision of applications for our electronic gadgets and vehicles to guide us towards our desired destinations, offering the best and most convenient route to use. Even though using these provisions is convenient, we can’t deny the fact that there are a few downsides here and there. Talking about locations and directions, In Matthew 7, we encounter a pathway and a destination. The importance of this journey is so great that we can’t dare miss the right way and end up on the wrong one.

We have been provided with indicators to help us identify the ground on which our feet make stride. In this article, we will expound on these indicators and point out the directions to the right path.

13“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.14 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).

From the scripture above, what should be our goal is plainly presented before us; which is entering through a certain narrow gate. The One speaking these words is Jesus Christ. But why does He have to go through so much detail? One of the reasons is to help us avoid getting lost as a result of not having the right directions to this narrow gate. So He not only gives us the destination but also a map to direct us safely.

The map:

What are we to get from this map?

1. The difficult way and the broadway.

2. The narrow gate and the wide gate.

3. The two destinations; life and destruction.

Why a difficult way? one might ask if this is the way to life, then why is it a difficult way?

Firstly, it is because it requires self-denial.

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).

This basically means putting the interests of God’s Kingdom before our own interests and allowing Christ to have preeminence in our lives (Gal 2:20).

Secondly, it is a path met with trials and persecution.

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).

This happens because of choosing to be on God’s side. When we shift sides, leaving the ways of the world, our beliefs, way of thinking, and principles become contrary to those of the world. The world will hate us for this reason:

“19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19).

But so was Jesus hated by the world” If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first (John 15:18)”.

What are we to do then? 

Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44) we are to bless them and not curse (Romans 12:14).

It is also important to note that these trials work out for our own good in the end.

6 … though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7).

The narrow gate. Why are we to strive to enter into this gate?

For many will seek to enter and will not be able to once the door has been shut (Luke 13:24-25).

Who are the ‘many’ and why will they not be able to enter?

a. Those who do not believe in Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah (John 8:21-25; Romans 10:9-13; 1 Cor 15:1-14).

b. Those who seek their own righteousness through the fulfillment of the law (Romans 9:31; 10:2-4).

How then do we arrive at this narrow gate?

Jesus is the way (John 14:6). When we come to Christ, then we come to the way that leads to life. This is how to walk in the narrow path:

a. Looking at Jesus Christ as our example (Matthew 16:24).

b. Living as He did (1 Peter 2:21-22).

NB: This article is a continuation of the previous one titled "CONTINUAL ASKING, SEEKING AND KNOCKING".