Matthew 7:13 - 14 (KJV)

13 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 there at:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Two Choices:

• There are two gates, wide and narrow. There are two ways, broad and narrow. There are two destinies, life and destruction. There are two crowds, many and few.
• There are two trees, good and corrupt, two fruits, good and bad. Also, there are two behaviors, the sayers and the doers, two builders, the wise and the foolish, two foundations, rock and sand, two houses; one stood, one fell.
• Either choose the narrow gate or the broad way. There’s only two, the narrow gate is very narrow, very constricted. The broad gate allows for all kinds of religions viewpoints. One however, is the path to Heaven and the other, though marked Heaven, is a direct road to hell.

Deuteronomy 30:19 (ESV)

19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,

This gate leading to life is narrow not because it is difficult to become a Christian, but because there is only one way and only a few decide to walk that road. Believing in Jesus is the only way to eternal life because he alone died for our sins and made us right before God.

The road is hard because true discipleship calls for sacrifice and servant-hood. Following the crowd along life’s easy path results in destruction. Choosing the narrow way of difficulty and sacrifice ultimately leads to eternal life.

One of Jesus’ self-descriptions was of a gate: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved” (John 10:9). Each life has a “gate” consistent with its “way.” People take the wide gateway, but they find the narrow gateway. The wide gateway that leads to destruction defines the normal human experience, except for the few who find and enter the narrow gateway.

Joshua 24:15 (ESV) 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”