Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
In recent times, as I think about the narrow way, I see the inability to take many things with me along this path. What do I mean? Imagine a narrow door and you are told to take what you’d need along with you into that room. You can’t go back to take anything. You must take everything you need at once. Now because it’s not a wide door, the things you can take along will be limited. This is the idea we need to have when it comes to the path God has for us. Anytime you have many options and you keep adding options, you are on the broad way to destruction.
For instance, God makes male and female, and then humans say there are now 150+ gender identities. Ask anyone who has made any substantial influence and impact in the Kingdom and they’d tell you they don’t have many friends. Even secular people who have achieved anything great say that the people they call friends are strategic to who they have become. They don’t just allow anyone into their circle. The moment you have too many friends and everyone likes you, you’re definitely not on the narrow way because pursuing something specific and having a focus will instantly bring a separation into your life. There are people who would not agree with your vision and goals. They would have to fall off. On a broad way, you can take many friends along.
Abraham had to leave his father’s house, Joseph had to be in a foreign land as well as Daniel. Moses had to be living in the palace instead of with his original family. David was alone taking care of sheep isolated from his family. We can go on and on. Hebrews 12:1 gave me a new perspective on this. It says; Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Take note of the phrase ‘lay aside’. Because he was speaking about running a race, things needed to be put aside. Running with a load in your hands versus running empty-handed are two different experiences. You would get to your destination faster when your load is less. So he mentions weight and sin. Sin is not weight and weight is not sin because if sin and weight were the same, it should have said lay aside the weight OR the sin. Instead, he says lay aside the weight AND the sin. Many times, weights don’t look evil but they can be a great hindrance or limitation in the journey to God’s purpose.
Understanding this also gives rise to a new perspective on sin.
Sin is not just about good versus evil. Something may be good but not what God wants you to do. We don’t do things just because they are not sinful. We do things because we are led by God’s Spirit.
It may not necessarily be a sin but it weighs you down. It prevents you from running the Christian race speedily. In this generation, social media and movies can be weights. It is not a sin but it could be a hindrance to spiritual progress because the time to be used for spiritual activities can be spent watching a 13-episode series or scrolling through TikTok for hours. When someone asks a question like; Is taking alcohol a sin? what they really want is to find a way to incorporate that into the faith. That is adding options. Remember I mentioned earlier that once you have many options you’re entering the broad way. Ask any substance addiction specialist and you would know that the need for things like drugs and alcohol stems from a void. So a negative emotion pops up and the next thing to go to is that substance. This means you don’t think the Holy Spirit can help you deal with that negative emotion and anything done outside of faith is sin. Ephesians 5:18 says; Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Two spirits were mentioned in one scripture: alcohol/wine usually called spirit, and the Holy Spirit. This tells us that both are looking to influence the actions of a person. The previous verse said; Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. So what is God’s will for you? To be controlled by alcohol or His Spirit? You would have to choose one. There’s no middle ground and you can’t do both. Doing both makes you lukewarm because you are neither hot nor cold.
Many times when people are unwilling to let go of something for God, it’s because of a fear of missing out. We think by not doing what everyone is doing, we would have a boring life.
Walking with God will cost you and that’s the truth. We don’t hear this in most churches today and that’s unfortunate because we keep lying to people that once you have God everything would be smooth. Even walking in sin is also costly so there’s nothing in this world that is easy and smooth. There are people who would not want to associate with you because you have decided to let go of a habit or a lifestyle and believe in something new. People would call you an extremist, that you are doing too much. Are you the only one who knows God? We are all Christians but we do this thing. Why are you taking this personally?
Broad is the way that leads to destruction. That everyone is doing it or that it is trendy and popular doesn’t make it right. In these last days, good is called evil and evil good. It’s going to get worse with nations legalizing wrong behavior but the Bible says in Matthew 24:13, But he who endures to the end shall be saved. The end matters. The opening scripture says only a few find the narrow way. That explains why taking God’s path may seem lonely at times but the Holy Spirit’s job is to comfort and strengthen us in those times. How will you end? That determines whether you reap eternal life or damnation.
The Word In Clarity 