“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. – Matthew 7:13-14
The way of True Christianity is difficult, narrow, constricted and exclusive…
There is only one way… John 14:6
For MANY this is impossible to understand, so what did Jesus mean by many?
pol-oos’ – Often, mostly, largely, abundant, altogether common, many, much, often, plenteous,
Can Jesus be saying what it appears He is saying? Have you ever contemplated this before? It appears He is saying the majority of the people will walk the wide road that leads to destruction. Hell.
How about the few? Will there be only a few that are saved and travel the narrow and constricted path that leads to life?
ol-ee’-gos – Of uncertain affinity; puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat: – + almost, brief [-ly], few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while.
I see how very few seem to have any recognition of “a god” much less the God of Scripture; the actions that I see, the language that comes out of their mouth. These are obvious signs of their current state. The Lord tells us out of the abundance of the mouth the heart speaks, He says this is what defiles them (Matthew 15:18). These seem to be pretty clear.
Then we have the less obvious… The people that appear “good”, they live moral lives. They might go to church, they might volunteer or they might do a lot of outward signs or good deeds. They might be religious.
It’s all meaningless and that will incite anger within people because man is deceived by his sin. Believing he has goodness inside of him. Scripture completely disputes both of these claims. (Jeremiah 17:9, Genesis 6:5, Romans 3:10)
That’s why this path is so narrow and so difficult. Do you believe in Him and His challenging words? Or is this foolishness to you?
Look at Jonathan Edwards’ sermon notes commenting on these verses:
1. There is a way to Heaven – God has opened the door
There is but one right way
Tis a hard thing to find this one right way
Appears: In that there are so few that find the way
Though all have so much need to find
Though so many desire to find and seek after it.
Though so many think they have found.
…so many are mistaken.
That many of those that do find it, first take a great deal of pains
Some for a long time
Many prayers
Many difficulties
Reason: Negatively, not that God hasn’t has not called us.
“ “ very plain in itself.
Reasons:
Many wrong ways
Like traveling through a great wilderness
Full of difficulties…dangers….
But one right way
A narrow way
Many wrong ways.
Mention some of the wrong ways.
Do right in some things only.
Outward Religion only
Affections that go away
Religious out of regard to men
Religious only out of fear of hell.
…from self-love
Don’t love God for Himself.
Trust in their own righteousness
Depend on the good opinion of others
Apt to think themselves convicted when they are not
High pride: apt to think well of themselves
A little good looks great
Don’t see what is bad
How many things men often think are Conversion.
2. Men’s own lust blinds ’em.
The way is good and plain.
Right way is what men don’t like.
Up-hill
Contrary to all their lusts
… to their pride
… to their worldliness
… sensuality
… slothfulness
Enmity against God
Wrong ways are
Easy
Broad
Down-hill
3. Devils.
Blind them and deceive them
4. Things of this world blind ’em
5. Wicked men implead (?) ’em – Jonathan Edwards
We must examine our lives and constantly measure them by the truth of God’s Word. We have an opportunity to live but that comes at the expense of a broken and contrite heart before God as we understand our sin (Psalm 51). If you’ve not seen the ugliness of your sin I beg you to consider this today. Most won’t and most will perish in their sins. Don’t be fooled.
Are you willing? Matthew 22:3
Kevin
Uncommon Faith 