A Narrow Gate Off the Main Path

Speeding down the wide road, enjoying the ease of travel, the narrow gate is easy to miss. Actually, it is impossible to access unless one gets off the main road and travels a smaller, more difficult path. If one is able to pass through the narrow gate, the experience is like none other, but as long as one stays on the wide road, the narrow gate cannot be accessed. Death and destruction awaits those speeding along the wide road.

Jesus said, “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14). The apostle Peter also described the careful search and inquires that were made to know the Christ of salvation which was prophesied. God’s plan of salvation is so amazing that even the angels of heaven long to understand (1 Peter 1:10-12). So Peter admonishes us to stay alert, focused on Jesus Christ and His promise to grant grace to those who seek Him.

Don’t be conformed or shaped by the world’s values: get off the flow of “everyone’s doing it” and seek to follow the Holy One in all your behavior. It will take effort to discipline your mind and actions. On the main road, you can just float along without much effort, but having a glimpse of what awaits behind the narrow gate should be motivation enough to follow Jesus Christ completely. His salvation has already paid the price of your redemption – there is nothing you can do, no matter who many good deeds you do, to earn salvation. Christ offers salvation as a free gift to those who seek it.

The fallen angels and Satan would like you to close your eyes and float along on the main road, eventually to join them in their own destruction. The salvation that Christ purchased for us is not available to these fallen angels – it is only for people who are willing to get off the main road of destruction and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Which road are you traveling?