What is the path of life? How do we get on the path of life? Jesus said in His first sermon, “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. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14). Why is the gate narrow and the way hard that leads to life? Why would anyone want to walk the path of life if it is hard? Everyone is invited to enter the narrow gate and walk the hard path of life with Christ, but few want to because it requires living a holy life according to the Golden rule (Matt. 7:12). Hebrews 12:14 explains, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Living righteously and treating others as you want to be treated is hard in a world ruled by wickedness and self-centered pride. The evil one lures us to walk his wide and easy path of destruction, which is self-centered living that leads to eternal death and separation from God. A person who unwisely is offended will take the path of destruction until they forgive the offense.
What is the Path of Life and How Do We Find the Narrow Gate?
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus died on the cross to set us free from the control of sin and save us from the wrath of God because of our sin. Sinners are those who disobey God’s command to love Him with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love their neighbor as themselves (Luke 10:27). Read my previous post on the Golden Rule.
God is holy and perfect, and He hates sin and must punish disobedience. But He loves us and sent His only son, Jesus, to take our punishment and to cleanse our sinful nature. He promises to forgive you of all your sins and remove all unrighteousness (1John 1:9). Unrighteousness is not doing what is right in God’s eyes. To follow Jesus requires perseverance and dedication to live a life worthy of Him (Col. 1:10).
Believing in Jesus leads to the path of life and ultimately eternal life (John 3:16). Believing is finding the narrow gate, walking the path of life is where people fail. Some mistakenly think that if they just believe, it is enough to keep them out of the lake of fire. The devil believes in Jesus and that He is the son of God, yet he is destined for the lake of fire. Some mistakenly believe that grace covers all our sins, and we don’t need to repent or put off our sinful behavior and put on a new life that resembles Jesus’s holy life.
Who is on the Path of Life?
When we find the narrow gate and believe Jesus is the Son of God and the savior of the world, we need to go through the narrow gate and walk in love as Jesus did. Jesus says that we need to strive to enter the narrow gate (Luke 13:24). Hebrews 12:14 says we are to “Strive to live in peace with everyone,” which is an example of holy living. Striving takes an effort on our part. The effort is putting off our old life of sin (self-centered pride) and putting on the new life, “created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). Also, 1Thessalonians 4:7-8 states, “For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.”
So, what are we to discard? Colossians 3:5-10 tells us to, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Many people in the church have not put on a new life of righteousness and holiness. Dare I say, going to church is not entering the narrow gate. Choosing to heed God’s calling and be a disciple of Jesus is the narrow gate. The path of life is hard because it is the path of love. Loving those who sin against you and forgiving them is hard to do. Being kind to your enemy is hard. Praying for those who persecute you is hard. Trusting Jesus to meet your needs is hard. Giving to the poor and ungrateful is hard. Giving up your old sinful ways and friends is hard. But those who obey God are wise (Matt. 7:24). Wise people will strive to stay on the path of life that leads to eternal life.
What happens when the gate is closed?
Luke records the following exchange with Jesus in Luke 13:23-28, “And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
25When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’
26Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’
28In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.
This passage is sobering. Why does God close the door? The first thought that comes to my mind as I pray for God’s answer is the door is closed when Jesus returns to rule. The opportunity to enter the narrow gate is ended. Many Christian people who believed in Jesus but did not submit their lives to Him and continued living a sinful life will be left behind. They will realize they are not on the path of life. You may have been a Sunday school teacher or a deacon in your church. If you have not entered the narrow door/gate yet, don’t wait, because the next moment may be too late.
Conclusion
The golden rule explains why the path of life is hard and few find it. We must strive to enter the narrow gate and live in peace with all men (Rom. 12:18). Those who do not put off their sinful desires and put on the holy life are still on the path of destruction. Follow Jesus to the gate and stay yoked to Him as you walk the hard path of love (Matt. 11:29-30).
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