Why A Narrow Way (Matt. 7:13-14)

Why a Narrow Way?

Matthew 7:13–14 (ESV) – 13 “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. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. – Jesus Warning:

What does that mean? Christ’s teaching direct one to find the abundant life. Yet there is a ‘wide gate’ for those that take up a life of self-indulgence and pleasure. This style of living will lead one to destruction. It has been proven that many involved in that style lack finding happiness and satisfaction within one’s self. We are made in God’s image and thus when we behave contrary to that, the soul (man itself) is unable to find true rest. Therefore, this choice given here is not a discussion of losing one’s soul, but of a failure to live out the purpose of one’s existence.

When applying to the gospel is depicts the two roads and destinies of the human race. Proverbs 16:25 (ESV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death . The scripture shows the result of taking the wide gate and broad way leading to destruction. Whereas choosing the narrow gate and the difficult way as it will lead to life. Jesus is the gate and the way, thus going through that gate we announce that we will follow Christ.

Jesus states He is the gate: John 10:9 (ESV) I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. In John 14:6 (ESV) 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jesus states that He is the way.

The real purpose of this text is for the believers as He was instructing them that to follow Him would require faith, discipline, and endurance. He was trying to let the believers know that even if it is a difficult life. Yet what other way is there that makes life worth living? He was stating that if you choose the easy way, you will have plenty of company, but you will miss God’s blessings for yourself.

What does it mean to enter the ‘narrow gate’? – Wouldn’t entering that narrow gate signify as decision and one showing the heart’s acceptance of Christ’s holy teaching? This teaching of Christ is telling us that we need to walk that ‘narrow way’ and our heart and life be constantly regulated by it.

When we walk the ‘narrow way’ it denotes a steady perseverance in the faith and in being obedient to Jesus. We will overcome opposition and reject every temptation to forsake the path, the narrow way toward Christ.

Why is it called the ‘Narrow Way”? It is called that because it narrows (constricts) out all self-pleasing and self-seeking people leaving those that are willing to disciple their lives around God’s counsel. From the beginning God has directed those that are to be ‘His people’ will need to meet His standards of righteousness. It is the way of the Lord – Note: Genesis 18:19…

Genesis 18:19 (ESV) – 19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him .”

In Exodus it is called “the way” –

Exodus 13:21 (ESV)

8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ ”

Exodus 32:8 (ESV)

21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

In I Samuel 12:23 it is “the good and right Way”

23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

In Psalm 25:9 ‘His Way”

9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

In Proverbs 4:11 it is “the Way of wisdom” and in Proverbs 8:20 “the Way of righteousness” where as in Proverbs 10:17 it is “the Way of life”

Proverbs 4:11 (ESV)

11 I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

Proverbs 8:20 (ESV)

20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,

Proverbs 10:17 (ESV)

17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

In Isaiah 35:8 it is: “the Way of holiness”

8 And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

In Jeremiah 6:16 it is: “the good Way”

16 Thus says the Lord : “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

2 Peter 2:2 it is “the Way of truth” and in 2 Peter 2:15 it is: “the right Way”

2 Peter 2:2 (ESV)

2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.

2 Peter 2:15 (ESV)

15 Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing

Take note the various descriptive terms used in the scriptures to describe “the Narrow Way”:

“the good and right Way” – ‘His Way” – “ the Way of wisdom” – “the Way of righteousness” –

“the Way of holiness” – “the good Way” – “the Way of truth” – “the right Way”

These terms point to a life style befitting God’s way.

The fight:

We fight within ourselves as the world is around us. We live in a society that is fast-paced and filled with alluring things. Since Satan owns and runs the world he would design it as a place our senses would be enticed by. Today and yesterday seem to hold the same lure for people. Reflect back on Lot’s wife as she yearned for the city that she and Lot were being led out of. Her body was outside, but her heart remained inside. Consequently, this heart’s desire was fulfilled by God turning her into a pillar of salt because she had hardened her heart toward God.

Now Lot’s wife’s day was a long time ago and yet that culture was made up of lust and desires of the flesh. Do we not have this type of culture today?

Take the time of the flood. It is stated that as in those days so shall the time of the end be. Christ states in Matthew 24:38-39 (ESV) – 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. What prevented the people believing Noah and his family? The scripture states that they were busy with “Life”. Thus, today, do we let ‘life’ rob us of remaining on the ‘narrow way’?

Thus the Narrow way needs to be followed no matter how much it may militate against one’s worldly interest. In our homes or this very day is our ‘testing point’ reached for it is easier for the ‘natural man’ and more pleasant to indulge the flesh and follow our worldly propensities. Encarta dictionary states that the word ‘propensities’ means one’s tendency is to demonstrate a particular behavior.

One finds that the Broad Road is where the flesh (the natural man) is allowed “liberty”. However, if we are involved in a ‘pretense of being a Christian’ it means that one’s life would be easy, smooth, and attractive; but it ends in “destruction!”.

A caution:

Since this scripture is for believers then Jesus is trying to get our attention to help us be real in our walk with God. Jesus is telling us ‘Christians’ this walk will be one that few tread in. Multitudes make a profession and claim to be saved, but their lives give no evidence that they are. Does our life show that we are “strangers and pilgrims” here in this world? Does out life demonstrate that we are bearing in mind that our “treasure” is elsewhere?

As Christians we need to be careful that we become afraid of being seen by others as ‘narrow and peculiar’, ‘strict and adhering to strict moral & religious principles’ or ‘weak and followers”. Satan’s world proclaims one needs to be ‘open minded’, ‘ready to accept a difference’, ‘let people be whom-ever they choose’ and ‘awake to change’. Satan has deceived some Christians in to imagining that they can get to heaven by an easier route than by denying self, taking up their cross daily, and following Christ!

CAREFUL we don’t combine two ways:

Are there not multitudes of religionists attempting to combine ‘two ways’? These people are working to make the best of both worlds or serving two masters. What really is happening is that they are trying to gratify self today and yet plan to enjoy the happiness of Heaven in eternity. Thus, Satan is deceiving some Christians to becoming ‘nominal Christians’ that delude themselves in to believing they can do so. They are Deceived for they wish to gratify self at this time. A profession of the faith, but mortifying the deeds of the body in the power of the Spirit (Rom. 8:13) is in vain. Romans 8:13 Romans 8:13 (ESV) For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. We need to have a faith that displays an evidence of complete submission to Christ. Thus, a love that does not keep Christ’s commandments is false as John 14:23 states: Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

The reason why so few will enter Life is because the multitudes are not seeking it in the way of God’s appointing:Despite the discouragement they continue to press forward along the Narrow Way. Matthew 7: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15).

Why does this come in next? Who are the “false prophets” – they are those who teach that Heaven may be reached without treading the Narrow Way! These false prophets loudly claim that eternal life may be obtained on much easier terms. Saying that they are coming to Christians a in sheep’s clothing:” for they appear (to undiscerning souls) to exalt Christ, to emphasize His precious blood, to magnify God’s grace. But they do not insist upon repentance; they fail to tell their hearers that nothing but a broken heart which hates sin can truly believe in Christ. They don’t declare that a saving faith is a living one which purifies the heart (Acts 15:9) and overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).

By one’s fruit or lack there off that identifies a true Christian or a false prophet. The broad way is a religion that pleases the flesh. They may have a ‘head knowledge’ of the truth, but they walk not in it. On the narrow way one is bounded by the commandments and precepts of Scripture. The broad way finds those that have broken out beyond the bounds of Scripture. Titus 2:11-12

Titus 2:11–12 (ESV) – 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Use Titus 2:11-12 to test which ‘way’ we are in!

J o h n 14:6 (ESV) = 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. He is the way, but how?

•  Christ has removed every legal obstacle to prevent one from going to heaven.

•  Christ left us an example:  He provides the open door that we must utilize. Christ has shown us the Way that leads to Heaven… John 10:4 (ESV) 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

•  He is willing to give us grace and strength to walk in the path.  2 Corinthians 5:15 (ESV) – 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised .

Galatians 1:4 (ESV) – 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father ,

Titus 2:14 (ESV) – 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works .

•  Christ came to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21) Which means we are delivered from the power of sin and the deceptions of Satan. It means that we no longer are a lover the world and one busy pleasing of self.

The premise of this paper was taken from the Believer’s Bible:

T. The Narrow Way (Matt. 7:13, 14)

The Lord now warns that the gate of Christian discipleship is narrow and the way is difficult. But those who faithfully follow His teachings find the abundant life. On the other hand, there is the wide gate—the life of self-indulgence and pleasure. The end of such a life is destruction. This is not a discussion of losing one’s soul, but of a failure to live out the purpose of one’s existence.

These verses also have an application to the gospel by depicting the two roads and destinies of the human race. The wide gate and broad way lead to destruction (Prov. 16:25). The narrow gate and difficult way lead to life. Jesus is both the gate (John 10:9) and the way (John 14:6). But while this is a valid application of the passage, the interpretation is for believers. Jesus is saying that to follow Him would require faith, discipline, and endurance. But this difficult life is the only life worth living. If you choose the easy way, you will have plenty of company, but you will miss God’s best for you.

Source: MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997). Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Mt 7:13–14). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.