Matthew 7:13-14 Holman Christian Standard Bible
Entering the Kingdom
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
To a newspaper inquiry asking what is wrong with the world, the writer and philosopher and Christian Apologist and Literary Critic, G. K. Chesterton sent back the shortest letter the editor had ever received:
Dear Sir, Regarding your article “What’s wrong with the world?”—I am. Yours truly, G. K. Chesterton
This demonstrates a humility that is lacking in most people.
Frankly, most of us would much rather note to the utmost detail someone else’s shortcomings rather than their own.
However, it is worth a minute or two of our attention to note the first step to transformation is for us to discover our own faults and face up to our sins.
Rather than denying our failures and getting too defensive about the foolish choices we’ve made, we must admit we have wandered from God’s pathway.
The road to God is narrow.
The way of heaven is straight.
I have learned this from reading, studying and praying over and through the Word of God and from personal experience, as well as from divine revelations.
It is literally a straight and narrow path.
It is straighter, narrower, and more difficult than most Christians realize.
Let’s look at what the Scriptures say about this topic.
Straight is Jehovah God’s Divine Order
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.'” (Luke 3:4-5)
“They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.” (2 Peter 2:15)
“Who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways,” (Proverbs 2:13)
“I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.” (Proverbs 4:11).
“He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.” (Psalm 107:7).
“In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6).
“Whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.” (Proverbs 15:21b).
“Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:27; cf., Joshua 1:7).
The apostle Paul said the ways of the Lord are straight (Acts 13:10).
The Scripture says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Also see the following Scriptures in the NASB version: Deuteronomy 32:5; Psalm 5:8. Psalm 18:26; 125:5; Proverbs. 2:15; 3:5-6; 8:9; 17:20; 21:8; 28:6, 18; Isaiah 40:3, 59:8; Ecclesiastes 7:13, Jeremiah 31:9, Ezekiel 1:9,12; 10:22; 46:9; Philippians 2:15.
Narrow is Jehovah God’s Divine Order
Rabbi Jesus said, “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).
He said this at the end of His sermon on the mount, which summarizes the content of that sermon recorded in Matthew 5-7.
In that sermon, He taught that something you say can put you in danger of the fire of hell (Matthew 5:22).
The sin of adultery can be committed in your heart without even having physical contact with the other person (Matthew 5:28).
He taught the need for radical obedience to God at all costs (Matthew 5:29-30).
Indeed, it is not only our outward actions that must be perfect, but also our thoughts, motives, and words (Matthew 5:48).
As much as possible for any person, self must be denied, the body kept under subjection, corruptions put to death; temptations must be resisted on a daily basis; duties must be carried out that are against our natural tendencies.
We must wrestle, with ourselves, against cultural and worldly ways which morally and ethically distract us from God, we must watch in everything, and walk with care and prudence, wary of that which would endanger our souls.
We must change and transform our attitudes and perceptions of how life works to pass through our many trials and tribulations (John 16:33; 1 Peter 4:12-19).
Radically new attitudes, thoughts and perceptions and new ways of addressing how we approach living life in the presence of God come to the forefront of life.
Fruits of the Holy Spirit
22 For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons—the redemption and transformation of our body [at the resurrection]. 24 For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees? (Romans 8:22-24 Amplified)
16 But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the [a] sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. 17 For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the [b]sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. 18 But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. 19 Now the practices of the [c] sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), 20 [d]idolatry, [e]sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], 21 envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the [f]sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. (Galatians 5:16-24 Amplified)
We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).
We must learn and practice and weave God into our life, discipline ourselves to more fully rely upon God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
This is definitely not the way that the majority of the “self reliant” people go.
Most people go through the wide gate and take the broad road that leads to destruction.
But only a few seek, find, the small gate and the narrow road that leads to life.
All too many are going to their destruction, but only a few are going to heaven.
He also said, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” (Lk 13:24).
If many try and are unable to enter through this narrow door, then it must be very narrow.
It’s difficult to find and difficult to get through, so every effort must be made to do so.
It’s hard but not impossible by God’s grace if we strive.
We will not be able to enter if you are complacent or half-hearted, because there are many Sins that will keep you and me from Heaven.
The devil has set many traps for you to try and capture you into hell.
We must avoid all the side roads.
It’s easy to be lured away from the straight path by the ways of seductive materialism, pride, and sensual satisfaction.
To avoid these and more, we have to name sin for what it is and not allow its evil influence to sidetrack us.
A relatively recent hymn based on Psalm 23 offers divine encouragement:
THE LORD MY SHEPHERD RULES MY LIFE Christopher Idle Hymn Text Words © 1977 The Jubilate Group (admin. Hope Publishing Company)
1 The Lord my shepherd rules my life and gives me all I need; he leads me by refreshing streams, in pastures green I feed.
2 The Lord revives my failing strength, he makes my joy complete; and in right paths, for his name's sake, he guides my faltering feet.
How Jehovah God Brings it All Together For Our Sakes
Alive, we are constantly and continuously staring at an upcoming crossroads.
Alive, we are constantly and continuously confronted by “forks” in our paths.
The Scriptures clearly teach that in everything the straight way is God’s way.
Indeed, the way to heaven is both straight and narrow.
In fact, it is more so than even either you and I actually think it is.
But even one second, one minute, hour in heaven will make it all worthwhile.
Therefore, we must study and pray and strive to enter the Kingdom of God on the way of righteousness, holiness, and truth.
It’s long past the divinely allowable time we cease from standing in the broad and crooked path of sinners, and going along with the crowd.
It’s high time we consecrate ourselves to our Savior Jesus, and follow Him with pure and simple devotion (2 Corinthians 11:3).
Continuously Seek Him earnestly (Psalm 63:1), stay close to Him (Psalm 63:8).
Let neither our Hearts nor our Souls be Troubled this day nor any other day;
Cling to God! All you His people, let’s Pray for the Ancient Paths once again.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray …. (Psalm 40 the Message)
40 1-3 I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked; finally he listened.
He lifted me out of the ditch,
pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to make sure I wouldn’t slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,
a praise-song to our God.
More and more people are seeing this:
they enter the mystery,
abandoning themselves to God.
4-5 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,
turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,”
ignore what the world worships;
The world’s a huge stockpile
of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one
compares to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know,
and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words
account for you.
6 Doing something for you, bringing something to you—
that’s not what you’re after.
Being religious, acting pious—
that’s not what you’re asking for.
You’ve opened my ears
so I can listen.
7-8 So I answered, “I’m coming.
I read in your letter what you wrote about me,
And I’m coming to the party
you’re throwing for me.”
That’s when God’s Word entered my life,
became part of my very being.
9-10 I’ve preached you to the whole congregation,
I’ve kept back nothing, God—you know that.
I didn’t keep the news of your ways
a secret, didn’t keep it to myself.
I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough.
I didn’t hold back pieces of love and truth
For myself alone. I told it all,
let the congregation know the whole story.
11-12 Now God, don’t hold out on me,
don’t hold back your passion.
Your love and truth
are all that keeps me together.
When troubles ganged up on me,
a mob of sins past counting,
I was so swamped by guilt
I couldn’t see my way clear.
More guilt in my heart than hair on my head,
so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.
13-15 Soften up, God, and intervene;
hurry and get me some help,
So those who are trying to kidnap my soul
will be embarrassed and lose face,
So anyone who gets a kick out of making me miserable
will be heckled and disgraced,
So those who pray for my ruin
will be booed and jeered without mercy.
16-17 But all who are hunting for you—
oh, let them sing and be happy.
Let those who know what you’re all about
tell the world you’re great and not quitting.
And me? I’m a mess. I’m nothing and have nothing:
make something of me.
You can do it; you’ve got what it takes—
but God, don’t put it off.
Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 