Message Library

The Narrow Road

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Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

Why do you think only a few find the narrow road that leads to life? Could it be that people think finding the truth is impossible, or the Christian life appears difficult, or people are afraid of God’s judgment? Whatever the reason, only a few will find it. And why do many follow the broad road that leads to destruction?

Religions other than Christianity are based on works, achieving false hope of eternal life. Christianity is based on a relationship with God through Christ, as he molds us to be Christ-like. This relationship renews the mind and changes the desires of our heart. Satan’s lies cause people to reject walking on the narrow road, mostly because they don’t want to give up their worldly life for the Godly life. It’s much easier to accept a false religion based on works as compared to Christianity, which is based on developing a new heart through our personal relationship with the Lord.

God looks at our heart, which is reflected by our thoughts. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (Samuel 16:7) If God let sin into heaven, it wouldn’t be heaven, and if God sinned he wouldn’t be God. How do we have a relationship with the Lord if we are sinful and God is sinless? We all have sinful thoughts that sometimes lead to sinful words and sinful actions. Our soul has the disease of sin from our first sin. Can our works cleanse our diseased soul, is there anything we can do to cleanse our diseased soul? The answer is NO, only Christ can cleanse our soul. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

The only way to cleanse our soul is to accept Christ, who paid the price for our sins on the cross and he sends the Holy Spirit to live in the believer. God sees the sinless Holy Spirit and Christ intercedes for us. Christians sin less but will always sin because of the sinful nature that is in mankind. When we sin, we ask Christ for forgiveness and we fight to overcome the sin. We are forgiven and he remembers our sins no more. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. (Hebrews 8:12) This is God’s plan to save us as revealed in his Word.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10) This verse might be confusing, because it says we are not saved by works, but we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works. The difference is that good works in Christ means the Holy Spirit lives in the believer and Christ guides us to these works. The Christian follows the Spirit because he/she has a heart filled with God’s love. If you love me, keep my commands (John 14:15). Seeking to be saved by works can be like a checklist we go through every day, and not motivated by God’s love in our heart. Our connection to God is love. Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law. Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”(Matthew 22:36-40)

Today makes sure you are travelling the narrow road, because Satan is trying to get you on the broad road. Beware of attempts that Satan will use against you. Stay connected to the truth by reading and learning the Bible, then Satan’s lies will be recognizable. Today try and stay connected to the Lord by communing with him with praise, thankfulness, and asking for his guidance and protection for you and your family.

Prayer: Lord keep me on the narrow road to eternal life. Guide me to live in your truth and never to yield to Satan’s lies even though they appeal to my flesh. Thank you for protecting my soul from a world filled with Satan’s lies, and help me to always listen for your voice through the Holy Spirit and your Word. In Jesus name, Amen.