176. Which Way?

Luke 13:22-30, Matthew 7:13-14

Key Verse: Jesus said to them, Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."

Luke 13:24

Salvation is offered to all, but so few are interested. This is not a new theme for God. Through history we see Him offering safety, but most aren't interested in His way, preferring their own. In the days of Noah, Noah preached as he built, (1 Peter 3:20) but he was ignored. In the end, only his family was saved.

Throughout the history of Israel, time and time again, God used the prophets to call the people to repentance, but in the end, only a remnant was saved and those he kept safe in Babylon, so that the multitude of those who rebelled, back in Jerusalem, could be destroyed.

In John 3:16, Jesus says that "God so loved the world that whoever believes in Him, will not perish, but have everlasting life." The narrow door then is to "believe in Him," but many choose to reject that simplicity to find a way of their own liking. In other words, we can't get through the narrow door because we refuse to let go of what is making us too big to pass through.

Many will do good deeds and do them in Jesus’ name, but not under His guidance as Lord. They still choose to hold back, deciding when they will serve, when it's convenient for them, instead of going when He says "go," and staying when He says "stay."

Paul warns Timothy about these kinds of people this way. "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Too many people are like this, instead of being satisfied with the gospel, they want to add whatever it would take to make the gospel more appealing to them. They are not satisfied with the narrow way, but continue to seek a way that will satisfy the flesh as well.

Consider this: Did Jesus die on the cross to just become an option? Sadly, it is a real challenge, in the Christian life, to remain content with Jesus, His death on the cross for our sins, and the resurrection which proves His victory over death and sin. We want to contribute something, or, perhaps, don't wish to give something up, believing that God will take special circumstances into consideration and let things slide. Like the monkey that can't get its hand out of the jar because it refuses to let go of the peanuts in its clenched fist, some want to bring more than Christ into the kingdom, but the door is narrow and our worldly thinking just can't fit. 

If this is your way of thinking, take care because you are risking losing it all. You do not want to end up with hearing the Lord say to you: "I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers." (Luke 13:27) Consider His warning soberly. You do not want to end up like the unproductive fig tree, or the tares with the wheat. He is giving the warning, if you are left out, "There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth." (Luke 13:28) Is holding on to your way worth risking that?

His way may be narrow, but He will make your steps sure. He will enable you to walk on the heights. (Hab. 3:19) And remember, He will never abandon you. His way may be narrow, but He will guide you in it always.

Hymn: Chorus: "Trust in the Lord"