13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few"
Now the context of this is in the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount is Christianity 101 for us. It is the first thing that Jesus taught His followers. I believe this warning is for us. I have read these verses many times and thought, "Oh he's talking about Believers (narrow gate) and unbelievers (wide gate)." I think we have all heard it taught that way. But I want to suggest that Jesus is talking about Believers, based on the context of this verse.
Jesus has just finished a long discourse on Christianity 101. He has given instructions on how to pray, how to fast, how to give, how to persevere, and how to hold your heart before the Father and with others. He's getting ready to wrap up His first Sermon and he begins His final plea with these verses.
13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few"
Right after this He brings further warning in three parts, to wrap up His teaching.
1. 15"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will recognize them by their fruits. ...19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Here Jesus is saying, "Hey, some people are going to come and tell you that you don't have to stay on the narrow way. They will appear righteous, but inside they are full of wickedness. In the end they will be found wanting. Do not listen to such teachers."
2. 21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
He further warns them saying, "Remember what I just told you. The way is NARROW. Not everyone who thinks they were on the right path will make it".
He then gives a safeguard for building a house that will stand, or growing a fruitful tree, or staying on the narrow path.
3. 24AL)"> "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
It is pretty clear to me, reading these verses in succession that Jesus is giving a warning to those who follow Him. He is urging us to be diligent, not careless in our pursuit of Him. We are instructed elsewhere in the New Testament to work out our salvation in fear in trembling. To abide in Him, to walk in His commandments.
How easy it is to fall under false doctrine or false grace that is careless in it's value for the Words of Jesus! How much our hearts can deceive us into thinking we are walking that narrow path.
It is frightening (and it SHOULD be) that Jesus, who came to seek and save all who are lost, says Himself, that narrow is the way and those who find it are few.
I want to pray with David, "Search me and know me. Test me, try me, and lead me in the way everlasting".
Let us be careful and diligent to allow Him to direct our paths, not leaning on our own understanding, but living by His word alone.
No comments:
Post a Comment