“Enter in at the straight gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in there. How straight is the gate, and narrow is the way which leads to life, and few there be that find it.” Jesus spoke these words, see Matthew 7:13-14.
Jesus said there are many on the broad way and few on the narrow. Many people in Christendom look for the “many”, wanting to be with the crowd, but the narrow way is a path where you and God walk alone intimately. There will be others who have chosen this path, but Jesus said that few would find it. Why?…because on this pathway you take responsibility for where you are in God. You do not blame or judge others for your walk, life or circumstances. The way is narrow, there is no room on this pathway for the extra baggage of blame or self pity. It is you and God. You make a choice to see God in all your circumstances: Jesus said, Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” You do not blame the devil or others for where you are, you take responsibility for your own life daily in intimate fellowship with the Lord. It is a narrow way because it is not popular. Human nature always seeks to blame others first, but that is the broad way that leads to destruction. The narrow way leads to life, the abundant life of the resurrected Christ flowing out through a surrendered vessel to extend the kingdom of God to others.
It is so easy to put things on our lips when we do not have the attendant situation to test what we say. However, when we have the inner witness to a truth, to a revelation, then God will permit a circumstance to test us. This is not the devil, but the trial of our faith, (1 Peter 1:7), where we prove God on the narrow way where He tests our faith. This is the School of the Spirit where I learn to surrender to the Lord the right to stand up for “my rights”, where I learn to trust God when the “cruise of oil” is running low in provision or finance, where I surrender my agenda and exchange it for God’s. These are the places where I prove God is who He says He is: the All-Sufficient One, God Almighty. The fullness of God dwells in our Lord Jesus Christ and His incorruptible seed was birthed in us when we received His salvation. Birth settles destiny! That which is born of God cannot die! We have a divine destiny to fulfill on our ongoing journey in life. That destiny will only be fulfilled on the narrow way, all else is “wood, hay and stubble,”or second best, that will be burnt up on judgement day.
Do not be hurt by your failure, see it as a learning curve that our loving Heavenly Father will use to teach us His ways. They are much higher than ours! In humility, on the narrow way, there is grace for my failure as He directs and enables me to walk in His ways. Be encouraged, Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will finish it until the day of Jesus Christ.” He is faithful to complete it, but I have to work with Him in humility and choice. The life of Christ within us is ever seeking to take us back to the heart of the Father. On our journey with Him on the narrow way, we are recovering ground lost in the Fall. Christ Jesus desires to bring many sons to glory, preparing hearts where He can dwell comfortably, fellowship intimately and reach out in a living demonstration to a lost world.
1 Corinthians 2:9 “…Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for those that love Him.” Be encouraged, the best is yet to come!
