Lord’s Day, Vol. 7 No. 32

Walk the Narrow Way

Matthew 7:13-14. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 There is only one entrance that leads to life and it is through the strait gate. This narrow and restrictive gate is the gate of salvation, of conversion and of regeneration. All who would enter must be Born Again! The change must come from within, old things are passed away and all things become new. The old man is put off and the new man put on. There is a new heart and a new spirit. The gate is strait because it also expresses the difficulty in finding it. Why is it difficult to find? Because only Jesus saves! There is no other gate to salvation except in Jesus.

The Bible tells us in Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Jesus Himself says in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

Dearly beloved, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This is God’s call to you. Today is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time. We must lay aside our excessive baggage to enter the strait gate.

May the Lord help us to humble ourselves before Him. Listen to what Jesus says, “… Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:34-35). This is the paradox of the strait gate and the narrow way — it is full of difficulty and yet full of satisfaction thereafter.

Narrow is the way

That strait is the gate is not our sole consideration; narrow is also the way that leads from this entrance. We are not transported to heaven as soon as we get through the strait gate. There is not only the difficulty in the entry but also the difficulty to remain. This word “narrow” is used in the New Testament to describe the afflictions, trials, troubles and sufferings of the Christian life. This is the narrow way.

Afflictions and persecution

The Apostle Paul who was walking on the broadway persecuting Christians was brought to enter the narrow gate when Christ confronted him on the road to Damascus. He was thoroughly converted. It was a 180° turnaround for him. Thereafter he suffered much to live a life of true godliness. Paul even cautioned Timothy his disciple, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Similarly, Jesus warns us that persecution will come in this narrow way. Note the sobering truth that He tells us honestly in Matthew 5:10- 12, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” See how you are twice blessed —– you are to rejoice and be glad that reward is awaiting you!

Although trials come our way, God’s grace will also abound to help us overcome them and be victorious. This was the Apostle Paul’s testimony in 2 Timothy 3:10-11, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.” It was a life of victory after victory with God. Paul summed it up with unshaken faith, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). God’s grace was with him to help him moment by moment. Truly, we must “through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

Holiness and temptations

Life with God in the narrow way will cost us our sins. God is not only a God of love but also a holy and just God. He will deal with us after our sins because He is a just God. When we sin wilfully against Him, He will chastise us so that we can be brought back to love the beauty of holiness. This is a good price to pay that we may conform to the image of Christ. Our sins must be put to death. When we transgress God’s laws, we will be dealt with by the Lord for He knows and He sees our every sin —– open or secret. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons” (Hebrews 12:6-8). He prunes and trims us so that we may bear forth more good fruit.

It leads to life

We do well to realise that this life of “three score years and ten” — 70 to 80 years — is short compared to eternity. Therefore, we are to heed God’s Word, be strong to make an entry and remain in the narrow way that leads us finally to heaven.

Jesus encourages all His disciples walking the narrow way, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).

Conclusion

Dearly beloved, choose to enter the strait gate that leads to the city of God as opposed to the wide gate that leads to the city of destruction. Jesus has given us the character and the conduct of the citizens of this city of God as opposed to the character and conduct of the citizens of the city of destruction.

If you are a Christian, Jesus bids you examine your life for fruits that account for your salvation. Are we reflecting the life that is described for us in Jesus’ portrait of the godly man? Is your Christian witness as light and salt, do you hunger and thirst after righteousness, after the things of God? Do you look forward to bible studies; do you relish your quiet time with the Lord? Do you worry and have no peace in your hearts because of the lack of material things of this life? Are you trusting and seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, believing that He will take care to add all these to you? May the Lord help you to choose His way.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee