“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14)
When we read these words of Jesus, do we really consider their full meaning?
The way to life is the road of righteousness. It is strait, and it is narrow. No room to turn to the right or left, no room for sin and disobedience. This walk with Jesus requires our undivided attention, listening carefully to his word and following his footsteps. We can see clearly the path that he trod, in the scriptures. It wasn’t the broad, easy way that we see in religion today.
The wisdom of this world and all the accumulated knowledge of man cannot show us this highway of holiness. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)
“Easy to be intreated,” easy to persuade in the truth of the gospel, to ask earnestly concerning the wisdom of God. Pure wisdom, untainted and unmixed with worldly knowledge.
If each of us would judge ourselves by the word of God and do so in all honesty and diligence, there would be no need for further judgement, because Jesus said, “the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48) The words already spoken and written in the gospel of the New Testament. “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” (Ephesians 6:6)
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” (Ephesians 5:3-4)
Not only abstaining from fornication in the flesh but in spirit also. Not “giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1 Timothy 4:1) What do seducing spirits do? They teach doctrines of devils, twisting, confusing, and dividing the pure gospel of Christ and entice people to commit spiritual fornication.
How many times have we been guilty of foolish talking and jesting or joking? This has no place on the narrow path of obedience. “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37)
“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.” (2 Thessalonians 3:11) Some walk among you, in church, claiming the name of Christian, but are disorderly. “Working not at all” in the gospel. “But are busybodies.“
“And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” (1 Timothy 5:13) Never being seriously concerned about what’s taught in the gospel but take delight in the faults of others and spreading empty gossip. How many telephone lines are kept busy today, doing this very thing, by people who call themselves Christians? Is there room for this on the narrow way?
How many people do we know who are never satisfied with their place in life? People who claim to be Christians but are dissatisfied with their wages, homes, cars, or their social standing. Never really being thankful from their heart for the things they have. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11) “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1 Timothy 6:8)
We know that we must have food and raiment for our bodies of flesh but how much more important is the food and raiment for our spirits. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
And it is important that we have spiritual clothing, as Jesus said, “that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” (Revelation 3:18) Our bodies of spirit clothed and protected by the pure word of God. The nakedness of our sins being covered by the righteousness of Jesus.
Many church members in today’s religion claim to be filled with the Holy Ghost but refuse to hear what the word of God teaches. These two are one. You can’t have one without the other. The word of God was given to us by the Holy Ghost, and it is taught to us by the Holy Ghost. The one and the same Holy Ghost. Yet, there are those who follow many conflicting doctrines, which have little in common. Each church has its own version of the gospel, and they all claim to receive their teaching from the Holy Spirit. Is Christ divided? Is the Holy Ghost confused?
But division in the Kingdom of God has no place. The straight and narrow way of the gospel teaches that we all should follow Jesus by following his word. And “that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) Can we agree that these words came from the Holy Ghost? Then, can you find opposing church denominations who are willing to put aside their differences and all teach the same thing? All having the same mind and making the same judgments?
If we can’t find different religious denominations willing to do this, does this mean that the kingdom of God is divided? “And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” (Mark 3:24) The straight teaching of the Holy Ghost says no divisions, man’s religion has many divisions. Which pathway will we follow? The straight and narrow way, teaching one kingdom, one mind, and one undivided doctrine, or the broad easy way that says you have the right to choose the doctrine you like?
The Holy Ghost dwelling in the children of God, “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” (1 Corinthians 13:5)
Unseemly, “not in good taste”, or as the scripture says again, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22) Don’t even leave room for suspicion or doubt about our motives.
Seeketh not her own. Her own lifestyle, her own desires, her own form of religion. But rather, the true spirit of the straight and narrow way seeks out the will of the Father from his word and obeys it from her heart. The spirit that is married to Christ Jesus our Lord.
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9)
Do good to them that despise you and say all manner of hurtful words against you. Not railing or complaining bitterly and abusively about their treatment of you. But do the opposite, pray for them and be patient with them, so that you should receive a blessing from God because you do things his way. The straight and narrow way.
Do we offend others by things we say or do? Do we give occasion for others to find fault with our faith in the gospel by doing things that are associated with sinners and the worldly lifestyle? The scripture says, “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” (Romans 14:21)
The broad easy way says try to explain it away, excuse it, take the attitude that you are not hurting anyone else. But the straight and narrow teaching says that if we trouble our brother’s mind by our words and deeds, we should stop whatever it is. “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14) Because few are willing to keep the strict teaching of the Holy Ghost. They take the name of Christian, then teach their own doctrine and make their own rules, saying in themselves that the way doesn’t have to be difficult; we can make it easier. Woe unto such people!
