ENTER BY THE NARROW GATE
THURSDAY 15
“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.”
Matthew 7:13 (NKJV)
READ: Matthew 7:7–20; Galatians 5:16–25
The admonition in this passage is that you should 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 (Matthew 7:13).
Wide gate and the broad way that leads to destruction does mean the way of the world. It means whoever is truly
interested in making heaven at the end of his journey on earth should not follow the broad way and the wide gate. Broad way and wide gate mean the way where you would be permitted to do whatever you want.
There are many people who believe they are Christians but they are not ready to live by the strict standard of biblical teachings or principles. Such people believe that God is not all that hard. They do believe those who are trying to strictly live by the standards and principles of the Bible are making life difficult for themselves. They believe that one should just attend church meeting on Sundays when it is convenient, and continue with one’s life.
Such people would not mind compromising, they would not mind to lie, deceive, and do a number of unwholesome things in order to make money or have their way.
Such would not mind to gratify or satisfy or indulge their flesh in sinful practices. Such people, though claim to be
believers, live a carefree life. Any person who claims to be a Christian and lives as we have just shared here is the
one who is following the broad way and going in through the wide gate, and that leads to destruction.
There are many who claim they are Christians or believers in Christ who are like that.
In contrast, narrow gate is different and the way is difficult, but it leads to life, and there are only few who find it
(Matthew 7:14). Difficult way and narrow gate is the way of the Word of God; living by the principles of the Bible (Psalm 1:1–3). In this way, you live by the principles of the Bible and the dictates of the Holy Spirit on the inside of you (Romans 8:14). This at times could be difficult and stringent.
In the difficult way and narrow gate, you do not do things impulsively; you do things as you are led by God through
the Holy Spirit on the inside of you (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18).
What seems right to do might not be right in the sight of God, thus, you may not be allowed to do it (Proverbs 14:12;
16:25). In other words, you cannot just do what you like, you cannot just go where you want, everything has to be
led and directed by God through the Holy Spirit.
Entering through the narrow gate is difficult because you would not be allowed to do whatever the flesh is
demanding you to do (Galatians 5:24).
In the difficult way and narrow gate, your affection, emotion and will would be taken over by God through the Holy Spirit. Your will, thought and emotion are the functional parts, or components, of your soul; God would want to take them over.
You will no longer be able to express your emotion according to the self, your human nature, as well as your will and your thought. Everything would be taken over by God through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16,18).
Your recreated human spirit would begin to control your soul and body. This type of life is called living or walking in the spirit. It is a situation where your newly recreated human spirit had control over your entire being; your soul and body (Galatians 5:25).
This is the difficult aspect of it; your flesh do not have any say again in whatever you are doing or want to do
(Galatians 5:24). Your soul and body would be subject to the spirit.
It is difficult and stringent because what others are doing, carnal believers and the unbelievers, is not permitted to be done by you.
Your life would be different and look like it is contradictory to that of many. Howbeit, it is the life that leads to life.
The admonition is, embrace such a life now if you are yet to, that you may have a place in God’s eternal kingdom (Colossians 3:1–4).
Peace.
Reflect:
• Are you about to enter through the broad gate because many are going that way, or have you chosen the narrow gate that leads to life?
• What broad-way habit, friendship or comfort do you need to leave this month to stay on the narrow way?
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