A NARROW GATE:  A WISE CHOICE
Matthew 7:13-14

In our last study together, we noticed that the pathway traveling from the very alluring wide gate, lead to eternal torment and eternal separation from God.  Praise God that is not the only option available to us.  For Jesus tells us about a second gate.

This narrow gate is not as attractive.  In fact, it is hard to find.  This gate is wide enough for only one person at a time to enter.  There is no group decision here.  This gate demands repentance from our sins.  This gate demands that we leave all our baggage behind.  The great British preacher, Charles Spurgeon, wrote:  You and your sins must separate or you and your God will never come together.  No one sin may you keep; they must all be given up; they must all be brought out like the Canaanite kings from the cave and be hanged up in the air.  This gate is for those who are willing to deny self, for I am reminded of these words from Jesus:  If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it (Matthew 16:24-25).

Jesus goes on in this text in Matthew 7 to state that few people find this gate, and when they do, they enter upon a very narrow roadway.  It is a hard road because it is restricted to what God has revealed in Scripture to be true and good.  Friends, it makes no difference what I think.  It makes all the difference in the world what God thinks.  This way is not a popular way because our focus is to be upon God so that we are not concerned about what men might say.  Finally, this is a costly way.  It will cost us our priorities.  Jesus states in Luke 14:26, If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.  It will also cost us our prestige and status, for Jesus reminds us that if you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master.  If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also (John 15:19-20).  It will cost us by often increasing our problems.  Jesus warned His disciples about this fact with these words:  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).  So, why would anyone choose to travel this lonely, difficult road?

The answer is found in its destination.  This road that begins at the narrow gate leads to heaven.  It is that place where we shall share in the eternal glories of God forever.  It is that place where our Savior is presently preparing a place for us.  It is a place whose glories are beyond the comprehension of human eyes and minds.  It is the place where God dwells.  It is our eternal home. 

So, how do I start this journey?  I need to make a decision, for the way I travel is my own decision.  In verse 13 Jesus uses the word “enter” which is a command; it requires a personal decision.  No one is automatically a Christian.  No one just drifts into Christianity.  A person must make a conscious choice for Christ.  I trust you have made that decision for Him.  But if you have not, I urge you to enter through that narrow gate today.

Father, I praise You for the narrow gate.  I thank You for the fellowship that is available with those who have also chosen to enter through that gate into the realities of eternal life.  Father, I pray that You would use us to help lead other people to that gate and that we would encourage them to enter into life itself.  We pray this in Christ’s name.  Amen.

 

Return to Sermon on the Mount Overview