“Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it; Because narrow is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
In these verses we see two ways; they are kind of parallel but opposite. The first way – the wide one, leads to destruction, the other – the narrow path, with the narrow gate, leads to paradise. These paths never cross each other at any point.
People often make mistakes because they do not know that a path leads to destruction. That’s why doing prophylactic, preventive work in schools is very important because the devil – the father of lies, does not show them that the wide road leads to hell, he creates an impression that paths lead to heaven. The devil hides from us what awaits us at the end.
The straight path requires self-sacrifice, and our flesh doesn’t want that. Tension or difficulties are given to us so that we do not rely on ourselves. All that is valuable to our flesh, to our ego is of no value in heaven. The story of Martha and Mary shows us what is primary and what is secondary in life. Jesus frees us from the unnecessary and teaches us not to lay up treasures on earth but to give time to the most important things. (Matt. 6:19). This requires strict discipline.
“Strive to enter in at the straight gate: for I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able” (Luke 13:24).
Matthew says “enter.” Luke says, “Strive”, i.e. exert excessive force, do everything diligently and the end will be good.
We need to strive, not because God has a quota and only a certain number of people will be saved and go to heaven. Remember the parable of the foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). When it was time to act, they slept, and later, they begged the Lord to open the door for them. So, in order for us not to miss heaven due to our own stupidity, we should do everything required to inherit eternal life. Salvation is free, but we must pay a price daily to remain saved.
“Strive” is similar to the motto of the athlete. You will not find any athlete who has won a prize and did nothing to win, but simply received a prize by grace. Everyone who makes it to heaven will have his own story to tell of the trials he had to overcome on the way.
To spend eternity with God, we have to fight sin. Sin offers us a wide road, but we must with all diligence fight against it. We must get to heaven and bring along with us as many people as possible.
“There is a way which seems right to a man; but the end thereof is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
We must rely on God and live as He wants us to live in order for our way to lead to heaven. God always speaks the truth.
“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word ” (1 Kings 18:21).
We waver between two opinions, because we cannot walk simultaneously on both the broad and narrow way. It is very sad that many take the wide road. It’s so frustrating because people lose their life and soul on the broad way.
We must keep our salvation and help other people to perfect their salvation. What does the narrow path require? – Bible reading and meditating on the Word, prayer, working on yourself. We need to constantly work on ourselves; we are all imperfect, so we need to work on ourselves. The comforting and motivating factor here is that eternity with God is our reward if we work on ourselves here and now.
Dear brothers and sisters, pay any price, no one and nothing can move us to the other side, if we are determined to go all the way! May God bless you!
From the Central Church Service
01.05.2014
Press center of the “Embassy of God Church “
