Make every effort to enter through the narrow door… enter through the narrow gate. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Matthew 7.14
On his way to Jerusalem, someone asked Jesus if only a few would be saved. And this verse was Jesus’ response. I wonder how many people are in your church congregation, but Jesus seems to show that there might be surprises in heaven: those we think would make it through the pearly gates might not be there. Not everyone who professes to be a disciple of Jesus is actually following him. While we may continue to pretend or deceive others with our piety, the Lord knows those who are His.
The phrase ‘Make every effort’ serves as both a warning and a wake-up call for many of us whose love and passion for the Lord has plateaued; we’re caught up in rituals and routines, and are disconnected from the Lord. It’s a gentle reminder for those who are tired and beginning to lag behind, Jesus says, do all you can, as long as you can with all you have to keep going till he returns. Following Jesus will not be an easy journey, like any other thing that is worth our time and effort, we just have to keep going even when quitting seems an attractive alternative.
Don’t let discouragement set in, as we think we must labour and strive with our own strength. Fresh strength is available as we linger in God’s presence, as we pray, worship and study the Word. There are things God’s promised to do but there are things we must do as well. Make every effort might involve staying away from people and places that draw us away from the Lord. we kindly ask to be excused from what no longer enables us pursue God wholeheartedly. If we will enter the narrow door, some excess baggage and additional items might not go through with us. We must be honest and identify who and what can’t go with us to where God desires for us.
Jesus describes a narrow road with a small gate that leads to life. He encourages us to enter through the narrow gate. It will not be convenient; it will sometimes be a lonely walk with him. It will require lots of surrender, sanctification and sacrifice but it will be worth it in the end. If we are following Jesus and our lives are not progressively becoming like him, are we still following him? The narrow word is a road of consecration as we offer all our minds, our hearts, our bodies, our possessions, our ambitions to the Lord. What’s important isn’t what we want to achieve but what God wants to accomplish through us.
The narrow road of sacrifice refocuses our eyes on Jesus and not on this world. We look to the cross and see how much He loved us as he laid down his life for us. There’s no greater sacrifice as we laid our lives for him who gave his all for us. As we sacrifice our time, talents and treasures for his glory. The narrow road requires a constant reconnection with God’s Spirit, asking him to expose false gods in our hearts, evil ambitions and lustful desires that quench his fire in us. We ask Him to purge, purify and prune anything that is not of him in our lives.
Our redemption is complete, our names are written in heaven, and we are assured of eternal life. But while on earth, Jesus says we can enjoy abundant life. Following Jesus daily provides a purposeful, joyful, and peaceful life, and this abundant life extends beyond material blessings. We can enjoy abundant life now and, in the life, to come. Sadly, many have all this world offers but are bereft of the joy, peace and hope that only God offers. Make every effort to enter the small gate, the narrow road that leads to life. Are you waking up every day living and enjoying the abundant life God promises?
Why does Jesus say, many will try to enter the narrow road but will not be able to because only a few will find it. Not many are interested in the way of the cross, the way of surrender, sacrifice, sanctification and suffering. In fact, many sermons from our pulpit no longer contain these themes as a new gospel seems to preached instead. Many really want to follow the Lord but would rather not have to bother with these. We want to follow the Lord but still want to pursue our agenda, we want to serve the Lord but, on our terms, we are happy to be and do what the Lord say but only when it’s convenient. Could this be why there are not many on the narrow road?
There are two paths, the other one has a wide gate and a broad road. Anything goes. You can serve God in public but bow down to idols in secret. You don’t have to wholly committed to the Lord, it’s one leg in, one leg out, blending into the culture around us and not standing out and representing Jesus. The broad way permits a little immorality and sprinkles of ungodliness, as long as we remain undetected and cause no harm. It’s ok to be elegant in our Sunday best and enjoy a good sermon but we refuse to allow the word take root. Sharing the gospel is only for a select few as we remain content as secret disciples. There’s no surrender, sacrifice, sanctification or suffering on the broad road.
: Sadly, the end of this path leads only to death and destruction. Initially, we might think that we are ok, but gradually, we are losing our faith and giving into evil. Before we are aware of what’s going on, what was once normal becomes abnormal, what we were comfortable with becomes uncomfortable. There is a way that seems right but the end thereof is the way of death. (Proverbs 16.25).
Friends, what path are you travelling on today? Are you enjoying the abundant life Christ promised or are we slowly sliding down on a downward path to destruction? Are we still excited about our new life in Christ and pursuing with full focus God’s plans for our lives or are we struggling with apathy and lethargy towards what matters to the Lord. There’s restoration and restoration at the foot of cross, we can run back to the arms of the Saviour.
Lord we cry for a fresh outpouring of your Spirit. Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning till you come again. Amen