“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV)
If a gate (entry, way) is narrow, it is restricted and limited, i.e. it has rules we must follow and things we are to avoid. But if a gate (entry, way) is broad or wide, it is wide-ranging and all-encompassing (all-inclusive), and it is not restricted or limited, for many can enter. So the narrow way is hard, because it involves dying with Christ to sin and to self and following Jesus in obedience to his commands. And the broad way is easy because it has no restrictions or limitations but it is all-inclusive (come one, come all).
But if we follow the broad way, and so we have no rules, no restrictions, but we can keep on living in sin and for self without conscience or guilt, then it will not lead to eternal life as many are promising today. For it includes a false and altered gospel which is telling people that they can make a one-time profession of faith in Christ and now all their sins are forgiven and heaven is guaranteed them when they die, regardless of how they live their lives on this earth. But that is a lie from hell which will lead to destruction.
But the narrow way has commands (New Covenant) we must obey or we do not know God and we do not have eternal life with God (1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10). All throughout the New Testament we are instructed in how we should live and in what we should and should not do. And we are warned of the consequences if we go the wrong way and not the way of holiness, righteousness, and obedience to our Lord. For if sin is what we practice and if obedience to our Lord is not our practice, it will end in death, not in life everlasting with God (Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 5:3-6, etc.).
So, the encouragement today is to make certain you are on the right path, which is the narrow way, not the broad way. For the broad way leads to destruction, and only the narrow way leads to life everlasting. But please know that the majority are traveling this broad road and only a few (by comparison) are truly on the narrow road, which is the only way to salvation from sin and eternal life with God. So don’t get caught up with the majority. Find the narrow way and follow it until the end.
[Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 2:24; Tit 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-9; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 3:6,14-15; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]
What Road are You Traveling?
Video Talk
February 10, 2023
https://youtu.be/Ag4xE1qjjEc
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Full Release
An Original Work / April 15, 2012
Walking daily with my Savior
brings me joy.
Loving Father; precious Jesus;
He’s my Savior and my Lord.
Gently leads me; follow Him.
I’ve invited Him within.
Now abiding in His presence,
oh, what peace.
From my self-life
He has brought me,
By His mercy, full release.
Hope and comfort,
peace and safety Jesus brings
When I daily bow before Him;
Obey freely; do His will.
Follow Him where’er He leads.
Listen to Him; His words heed.
Now obeying his words fully,
oh, what love
That He gives me
through salvation,
By His Spirit, from above.
Loving Father; precious Jesus,
He’s my friend.
With my Savior, by His Spirit,
I will endure to the end.
Share the gospel, tell what’s true.
Witness daily; His will do.
Tell the world of how their Savior
bled and died.
On a cruel cross He suffered
So that we might be alive.
https://vimeo.com/115169203
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