This is a decision not contemplated too often amongst the Christian community and this concerns me.  Let’s dive right in this morning.  We read in Matthew 7:13-14:

The Narrow Way

13 “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. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Wow!  That statement is very powerful and direct, let’s break that down.  We look at the first part and it says “for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”  This first part is talking about the world and its ways which we are not supposed to be conformed to, we see here in 1 John 2:15-16:

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

Revelation 12:9

⁹ So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

3 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. ² For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. ³ They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. ⁴ They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. ⁵ They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

So we read that we are not supposed to be conformed to these patterns that we see in the world.  We see that Satan has been cast down here by God and the devil will be the great deceiver.  The world around us only cares about self and money, all kinds of lusts and pleasures which we are not supposed to be conformed to.  We are citizens of Heaven and according to God we better act like it or we will be doomed to a life of destruction.

Why would God warn us about this broad path?  Why should this be of concern to us?  Because we live in a broken world ruled by Satan and we have been given free will to choose to follow the world and its patterns or follow after Christ.  And you know this breaks my heart to know that a very large population of the Christian community will not be going to Heaven because they will have chosen the broad path.  The path that made them feel good.  The path that the crowd was traveling.  This my friends is the exact reason we need to take getting to know our Savior so seriously.  We must be able to differentiate between the world’s ways, the broad way, and God’s way, or the narrow way because according to God Himself there will only be a few who find it.  Too many of us are too attached to our life, to our secular friends, and to our old ways to let go and start afresh, but the Word of God says it like this in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

This is what the second part of our scripture means “because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

We also see in Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”  There is a narrow path, a road less traveled, a very unpopular road in the world.  This is a life of ministry.  This is a life after Christ.  We are called to be imitators of Christ.  God is pleading to us to start living in the Light.

We see in Ephesians 5:1-20  1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”Living by the Spirit’s Power

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We as Christians are responsible for our own life.  We must make a conscious decision to follow after Christ.  Jesus gives us the living Word of God that is life changing.  He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us, but we must be living right in order for that to happen.  We must live a life that is pleasing to Him.  A life spent pleasing the Lord is the most gratifying life one could hope for because He promises us a life filled with Peace, Love, and Contentment.  If we trust in Him and travel the Narrow Path we will be on a path not traveled by many, but we will be on a path that leads to eternal life.

Christians I plead with you today to chose your path wisely and if you have been traveling down that broad path then jump off and run as fast as you can over to the narrow one because when you hit the end of the narrow path you will find Jesus and it doesn’t get any better than that!

So will it be The Broad or the Narrow…What Path Will You Choose?  For your life depends on it