“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NAS95)
There are only two paths in life. One leads to destruction, and the other leads to life. There is no middle path, and we must all decide which path we will follow. The path that leads to destruction is broad. It is easy to follow. It is comfortable. To travel the wide path, we must do nothing more than follow our own fleshly thoughts and impulses. The broad path is easy in the short term, but it leads to a certain destruction.
Jesus described the path that leads to life as “narrow.” It is a more difficult road to follow. It is narrow in that one’s direction is constrained by the revealed word of God. It is a path of self-denial and self-control rather than self-indulgence. It is a path of suffering for what is right when necessary. It is the path of taking up your cross and following the Master. While this path can be difficult in the short term, it is the road that will surely lead to life.
Yes, the narrow path is often difficult, but Jesus also said that on this path we will find rest for our souls. (Matthew 11:28-30) Yes, the path to life puts constraints on our behavior, but Jesus also said that in walking with Him, we will know the truth, and the truth will make us free. (John 8:31-32)
So, which is it? Is the path to life difficult or restful? Is it constraining or freeing? It seems paradoxical, but it is all these things. The truth is that only by continuing on the difficult path will we find true rest. Only by submitting ourselves to the moral restraints of God’s word, will we find true freedom. On the other hand, those who cast off the constraints of moral behavior and embark on the broad path in an attempt to “be free” will always find that they have enslaved themselves. Abandoning God’s narrow way to find freedom has been the motto of false prophets since the beginning, and it is the constant refrain of our culture today. “Cast off God’s restraints and be free!” We must be very careful not to fall for this deception. As Peter wrote, false teachers “[Promise] freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption: for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.” (2 Peter 2:19 NAS95)
Let us walk the narrow path with Jesus and find true freedom and rest for our souls!
—Scott Colvin
Posted by Scott Colvin 
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