In (Matthew 7:13-14) we read the following: “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.” In this well-known portion of Scripture, we see Jesus presenting the gospel in terms of contrasts. Here we see contrasted two gates, two ways, two destinations, and two groups of people. And not only is Christ showing us, in clear terms, that which road we take is the key to our eternal destiny, but throughout this closing chapter from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:29), He lets us know how to avoid eternal destruction and find eternal life.
While the Sermon on the Mount lays out for us which road to take to find life, the entire New Testament lets us know that only through Christ is salvation possible. In (John 14:6) Jesus tells us that Christianity is indeed a narrow and exclusive belief system, for He proclaims: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
When it comes to deciding who is Christ, it’s as if we are faced with the ultimate fork in the road. We can either choose to deny His deity and worship one of the false gods that exist from the many world religions that man has invented, or accept Christ as the one true God and worship Him alone.
When we share the gospel it is so important to let those we witness to understand that the exclusivity of Christianity will always present a narrow road to Jesus since He clearly claimed to be God and thus alone is worthy of worship and obedience to His teachings. It is also important to remember that asking people to accept Christ requires God to perform a miracle in the non-believers heart, since none of us can come to God on our own. (Romans 3:11) clearly states: “There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.”
Each person’s journey to faith in Christ, is different. While all need to hear a clear presentation of the gospel message and be upheld through the believing prayer of the saints, some need to additionally see just how much they are loved by Christ, while others need to see just how intellectually compelling the case for Christ really is.
I believe as we model the love of Christ to others this can prove a powerful witness. And as far as getting people to see how intellectually sound the message of Jesus is I believe, if they are somewhat open-minded, we would do well to challenge them to investigate the claims of Christianity for the following five reasons. First, Christianity, unlike many world religions, asks you to test its claims. If it doesn’t pass your test you can move on to another religion. Second, Christianity offers the amazing gift of free salvation. Third, Christianity has the best worldview fit of any religion. Fourth, Christianity has the most unique and influential book ever written – the Bible. And fifth, Christianity has the most compelling person who has ever walked on the face of the earth – Jesus Christ.
As Christians we have the most wonderful news in the universe to share with a world that is desperate to find meaning for their existence. So, let’s move forward first, armed with the love of Christ, second, equipped with the sound arguments that Jesus is God and the Bible is the only book of ultimate truth, and third, burdened with a heavy dose of believing prayer that no one is beyond the reach of God. And let’s show our unbelieving friends that though small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, once they enter in through the door of Jesus, incredible blessings and joy await them. Finally, we also need to show them that the broad road they are currently traveling on can never lead to real meaning and that the end of this road only leads to eternal damnation!
We should speak to a couple of comments that may need clarification.
First, “ We can either choose to deny His deity and worship one of the false gods that exist from the many world religions that man has invented, or accept Christ as the one true God and worship Him alone.”
This statement sounds like the unbeliever is in the driver seat, choosing what he wants. But, later in the devotion, this verse is quoted, (Romans 3:11) clearly states: “There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.”
Men, by their depraved nature, are not “seekers.” Apart from the electing grace of God and work of the Holy Spirit, they would never “choose” to accept Christ. They are not “open minded.”
This comment is for clarification only because in all fairness, this quote from the devotion acknowledges the same truth:
“to accept Christ requires God to perform a miracle in the non-believers heart, since none of us can come to God on our own.”
This comment is already too long, so, let me drop an exegetical thought without a proper defense. Maybe this will come up again in the future and we can explore it a little further.
Contextually, the narrow way and the few who find it is a passage dealing with the Jews. Jesus repeatedly separated the faithful remnant (the few) from those who would call for his death (the many).
We have to contrast this warning with God’s covenant promise to our father Abraham of a number, like stars and grains of sand, that can’t be counted. Not a few by any measure. We can rejoice in that!
“First, Christianity, unlike many world religions, asks you to test its claims. If it doesn’t pass your test you can move on to another religion.”
I am fairly new your postings. Could you point me to submissions you have that expand on this statement? (Asking for a bunch of friends. 😁) Thank you.
Eternal Destiny, Real Choices, and the Road That Chooses You…
Curt’s point in his commentary is simple and sharp: Jesus lays out two gates, two roads, two destinations, and Christianity is “narrow” because Christ alone is the way, so evangelism needs love, reasons, and prayer, knowing God must do the heart-miracle (Rom 3:11).
We really do “choose” (Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15), and the tragedy is that our will, bent by desire, chooses sin and gives birth to death (James 1:14–15; Rom. 6:16), so the “wide road” feels like freedom while it quietly becomes slavery (John 8:34).
That’s why the gospel is not “try harder,” but instead God’s rescue and new life (Eph. 2:1–5), and why Christ’s call is urgent and merciful.
It’s rescue: God awakens the dead and gives a new heart that actually wants the narrow gate (Eph 2:1–5), and then we plead with people like eternity is real… because it is.
Free will is a real steering wheel, but without Christ it mostly proves you can drive yourself straight into the ditch on purpose.
Thanks Curt and Dave…