Enter Through the Narrow Gate

 

 

"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. -- Matthew 7:13-14

 

 

Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?"

"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.'
"But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'
-- Luke 13:23-25

 

How narrow is the gate?

 

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. –John 14:6

 

It is narrow enough that it can only be entered through Christ.

 

How many eggs does a salmon lay that actually become adult fish? How many sea turtle babies make it to adulthood? How many rabbits does it take being born to ensure an adult population? How many sperm actually end up fertilizing the egg to become a life? How many of any species does it take to reach full maturity after they are born? What percentage actually arrives at the end of the road?

 

For mankind, the “end of the road” is heaven. Mankind is in a similar predicament. Very sadly, Jesus tells us, many will not make it.

 

What is our life compared to eternity? What is a hundred years (if that) compared to Forever? Christ told us to “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33) because He knows the road is indeed narrow. Many will try to get to heaven, but will not get there:

 

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' – Matthew 7:21-23

 

Even though these people had heard of Jesus and tried to follow, they fell short. In fact, they even performed many miracles and even cast out demons. And Jesus does not deny this fact. Yet He tells them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

 

So how do we know what God’s will is? We must read the Bible in order to understand that. The Bible is God’s Word, which speaks to us and reveals His will. What is foremost in God’s will? What is most important? A long time ago, a woman named Martha did not yet understand God’s priorities:

 

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
–Luke 10:38-42

 

1Timothy 2:3-4 tell us:

 

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

 

So what is most important in God’s mind? SALVATION. He wants everyone to be saved! This is why He gave us His Son who died on a cross for us. Jesus said to “Seek first his kingdom.”  But how do we get into His kingdom? How do we enter His kingdom?

 

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. –John 3:5

 

…And after we are reborn, we must remain faithful for the rest of our lives.

 

 

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