Enter through the narrow gate - pst. leah gitahi
Matt 7:13-14 “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."
Luke 13:24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."
Jesus Christ is the narrow gate. The Bible uses typology in the Old Testament to talk about Christ.
Jesus was the very tree in the middle of the garden of Eden.
Everything about the Gospel is centred on Christ. No wonder he was the tree at the middle in Eden.
Jesus was also the door to Noah's ark.
Those that chose to enter the ark actually chose the narrow path, Jesus the Way, the Truth and Life.
Most people that followed Jesus, during the course of His ministry, did it for bread.
At the end, it was just a few people left to be sent as witnesses to the world.
If we will be used by God, then we must be child-like.
Being childlike simply means that we ought to take the very nature of little children (Matt 18:3)
In church, many people, although born again, are on the wide path.
The five foolish virgins are a perfect example.
They had no oil, yet they were still virgins. This implies that they were on the wide path.
They were on their way to destruction.
The five wise virgins were on the narrow path.
The wide gate is very comfortable. This means that not much is required to access this side.
To enter through the narrow gate you need Christ.
Naturally, it is impossible to enter through a narrow space while carrying luggage or stuff.
It will call for you to drop them. Drop all baggage to enter through the narrow gate.
Jesus gave the example of the donkey through an eye of a needle to demonstrate that so many people are rich in self, or rather satisfied in their spirits when not pursuing Christ.
Pride, the world, and satan keep people from entering through the narrow gate.
We strive throughout our lives to enter through the narrow gate. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Life is a matter of choices. Man has been given the power to make own decisions. The decision concerning eternity is solely upon you as an individual.
To understand the Differencee between the Wide and the Narrow Gate:
The Wide Gate;
1. There is no self denial.
2. There is no spiritual maturity. Babies have no inheritance, including eternal life.
3. It is an easy road. Men take an easy way out. This is the story with most people in our society.
4. Only little or no effort is needed.
There is a price to be paid in following Jesus. It calls for us to bear our crosses.
5. It eventually leads to death
6. There is no cost .
7. There is no cross
The Narrow Gate;
1. There is self denial. I no longer live but Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20)
2. There is spiritual maturity. They go from one level to the next. They pray, fast, read the Word for themselves and have it dwell richly in them. Therefore, they can't be led astray.
3. It is a difficult road
4. A lot of work is needed. That is why we are required to work out our salvation. It calls for constant self scrutiny
5. Very few people find it.
6. It is cost oriented. Jesus said that a wise builder will sit and make calculations before setting out on a project (Luke 14:28)
7. People are needed to carry their crosses. Anyone who wants to follow Jesus must carry their cross and follow Him.
In Luke 9:59-60, somebody asked to bury their kin first, after Jesus has asked him to follow Him. Jesus told the man to let the dead bury their own dead.
What Jesus meant is that those being saved cannot go to those not born again for counsel.
Hence, 'Let the dead bury their dead.'
Following Christ calls for commitment. In another case someone asked to go and bid farewell to their kin.
Jesus told them not to look back. Whoever is committed to this call, doesn't keep on looking back. Luke 9:61
The true people of Christ know their master. They hear His voice and follow Him. (John 10:27)
When Christ is your shepherd, you will thrive where there is abundant pasture.
A Shepherd feeds, guides and shields His flock .
The narrow path may be difficult. It may require a lot of work but it is more than worthy. At the end there is eternal life and joy unexplainable.
These two powerful 'I Am' Statements were stated by Jesus Himself,
John 10:9 'I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.'
John 14:6 'I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'
Therefore, strive to enter through the narrow gate. That gate is the Lord Jesus Christ.