AN IMPORTANT CHOICE

Mike Johnson

Life is full of choices, and we must make decisions every day. Some decisions we must make are not as important as others are. However, the most important choice we face is in the spiritual realm. Jesus spoke of options that every person faces in Matthew 7:13, 14. Here he said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

We will examine the gates, the ways, and the destinations of these verses in this article.

Two Gates

Jesus spoke of a broad gate, which is a gate anyone can enter; it is the way of convenience. We do not have to make any changes to go in this gate, so people can go in without submitting to God.

Jesus also says there is a narrow (“strait” KJV) way, which is challenging to get through. This gate is not a “believe as you please,” or a “just any religion will do” gate. Those who submit to God’s Will are the ones who can pass through this entrance.

Two Roads

There are also two destinations for humanity. The person who enters the wide gate and travels the broad way will journey to destruction. The word “destruction” does not mean “annihilation,” but refers to the eternal punishment of hell. Hell is an everlasting punishment, according to Matthew 25:46. Indeed, it is easy to travel the broad way, as it is the route of least resistance.

The second destination is in verse 14. The verse says it is a “difficult” way. Those who enter the narrow gate and follow the narrow road will journey to “life,” which refers to heaven. Just as “destruction” refers to hell, “life” refers to the reward in heaven. We must understand that it is the narrow, more challenging way, which leads to heaven. Heaven is certainly a desirable destination. It is a place where there will be no moth, rust, or thieves. There will be no sadness or pain, and it will be a place of rest (Mt. 6:19-21, Rev. 21:4). Heaven is for those who have submitted to God.

 The Number Saved

How many people will go to heaven? How many people will be lost? Surveys show that most people believe there is a hell, but they also think they will be among the saved. They do not see hell as a threat but seem to feel that God’s mercy will take care of almost everybody. The Bible does not tell us precisely how many will be saved and how many will be lost.  However, the verses under consideration do tell us “many” will be lost, and “few” saved. The large number of people who will be lost, and the small amount saved is because the way to heaven is “narrow“; the road to hell is “broad.”

We need to make sure we choose the narrow path, which leads to life. We do this by becoming a Christian (Jn. 3:16, Acts 17; 30-31, Rom. 10:10, Acts 2:38, Mk. 16:16) and then remaining faithful (I Cor. 15:58). If you have not chosen the narrow way, then you have chosen the broad way, which leads to destruction. Which road are you now traveling? Are you going on the broad path that leads to destruction, or are you on the narrow way, which leads to life? Let us all get on the right road: the road to heaven.