Narrow is the Path…Few Find It

Something to chew on…

Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.

But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves.

You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit.

A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration].

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.

Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. ~ Matthew 7:13-20

This is a very interesting statement that Jesus made. The word gate comes from the Greek word pules and means; a door, gate, large door or entrance of a large city. To be distinguished from (thura), a common door.

This tells me that there are two places these gates take us…Heaven and hell.

The scary part of this is the “few” part. There are MANY people who “claim” to be Christians, yet their lives do not show it. We should be certain that we are on the right path. Our flesh will always try to lead us back to the easier (broad) path. Our Daddy in Heaven did not leave us to figure this out on our own. Jesus clearly tells us in these Scriptures HOW to know if someone is walking down the right path.

Knowing that it is by their fruit that we will be able to discern makes it quite much easier to know WHO we should be listening to and allowing to speak into our lives.

Questions to Consider:

It is VITAL to your spiritual health to pay close attention to WHOM you let speak into your life. You cannot just listen to every person that claims to be a Christian…or who feeds your fleshly tendencies.

Do they walk in the Spirit or Flesh? A person who is walking in the spirit will be growing. A person who is walking in the spirit will be very uncomfortable listening to music or watching things that glorify sin and the flesh.

They will be convicted when they say or do something that was an act of their flesh. God corrects those that are His…just like a good parent should.

Does there talk line up with the Word? This requires YOU to read the Word. You can not take another persons word for it…no matter WHAT position they hold.

Anyone can quote Scriptures and throw out a believable interpretation. The devil himself used God’s own Word against Jesus when he tried to tempt him!

We need to be VERY careful…VERY alert…and Pray about everything!

Do they walk the walk? They should be living the Christian life in public AND in private. This will be hard to know unless you are close to this person.

Another thing you should ALWAYS do is PRAY! Ask Daddy. Wait. He WILL reveal His Truth to you. It may not always be easy to hear…and you may have to walk away from a friendship or place, but you will be OK. God will help you through it and you will grow from the experience.

Consider this

It is NOT easy to walk the narrow road. It can be lonely and scary. However, no matter how hard it is, we know that pearly gates, streets of gold, and a loving God lay at the end of the narrow road.

We know that when we fail, we can get up, dust off, and get right back on that road with the help of our Daddy God. We must be WILLING and ALWAYS alert!

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ~ 1Peter 5:8

Am I saying we should not love those that are in error? Absolutely NOT! However, we can NOT allow them to influence US. We need to be a light to THEM…and you should pray for them. You should NOT become involved with them to the point where they begin to cause you confusion or to slip.

The Broad Road

This road leads to sin, sadness, separation from God, and ultimately hell. A horrible and extremely wicked and unhappy place. Unfortunately, when we are on the broad path we don’t see it that way. It’s easy and fun. It’s all about the flesh and self.

Even Christian’s can be lead astray onto the broad path. If you see yourself making compromises, sinning in a particular area frequently, and adapting yourself to this world and it’s ways, you way want to step back, do a spiritual inventory, confess to the Lord, turn from the sin, and find your way back to the narrow path. On it you will make harder choices, but your ending will be MUCH better!

How do we get ourselves on the narrow path?

If you are saved, it’s about choices. Who do you serve? Who do you want to represent? Who do you really love? Once you decide that Jesus is the ONLY path you want to take, turn from your sin (2 Chronicles 7:14), repent (1 John 1:9), and get back on track.

Life on the narrow path takes guts and courage. You may not “think” you have what it takes, but you do. I know you do. I know, because, God doesn’t make junk and He doesn’t make mistakes!

If you are un-saved (have never really accepted Jesus) or you have backslidden and want to rededicate your life to Jesus, then say the following prayer;

Father God, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.

I believe that your only Son Jesus Christ shed His precious and innocent blood on the cross and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in Romans 10:9, that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that He raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.

Right now I confess Jesus as my Savior and Lord of my life. With all my heart, I believe that You raised Jesus from the dead. Right now, I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to Your Word, right now I am saved.

Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus for dying for me and loving me. I ask that you help me to transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to You alone, and not to myself.

Thank you, In Jesus Name, Amen.

For those who are already saved, make sure that your life is being lived for the One Who gave His Life for you! Walk the narrow road and STAY on it!

Let’s Pray,

Daddy God, Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for choosing me to be Your very Own. Thank You for showing me in Your Word how I can live a life that shines for You. Thank You for teaching me in Your Word how to KNOW the Truth and what to look for. Help me to walk the narrow road and live my life to please You and not my flesh, woman, or man. Help me to be a shining example of Your great love and mercy. And, Lord, when I begin to stray from the narrow path, please pull me back and remind me that I belong with You. Thank You! In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

Your Homework:

Do some spiritual inventory.

– Who are you listening to or hanging around? Should you be?
– Who influences you?
– Do you walk in the flesh or spirit?
– Are you reading the Word on a regular basis?
– Do you pray daily?
– Do you watch or listen to things you KNOW deep down do not please the Lord? This is a SERIOUS thing…Faith comes by hearing…think about the flip side of that.
– Pray and ask God to reveal to you where you are lacking, what friendships you need to let go of, and to guide you towards HIS path for you.

Be Blessed on the Narrow Path!

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved