Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. Matthew 7:13 The Right Way
We all need directions in life whether we want to admit or not to get where we want to go. Jesus gave us some insight as to our itinerary through life. People are in such a hurry to get to the next place, the next appointment, the next event that they miss a lot of life. It is easy to get lost if you don’t pay close attention to the direction you are going.
Salvation and sanctification did not just "happen" to those who "flow" with others but to those who "seek". Christ gives clear instruction to beware following the easy way while disregarding its inevitable end. It is important to remember that there is a difference between the Christian and the world. Below are some reasons why the way of the world is so appealing to so many people.
The Way of the World v.13b
·
It's
Availability - "the gate is wide"
We are born into it - It requires no seeking or desiring - it is natural.
The wide path is the one most traveled. It is the easy path. You do not have to do anything to walk this
path. Apathy puts you on it.
If you have not chosen to leave it you are in it.
·
It's Ease
of Following - "the way is broad"
It is spacious, easy, no restriction.
You don't have to try to be bad.
Those on this way have the bumper sticker "If it feels good do
it".
·
It's
Company - "there are many who enter through
it"
If you like to travel with the crowd you will go this way. You will never
seem alone. It provides a feeling of
security and pleasure. A falsehood is "If most people do it, it must be the
best thing to do and it is okay"
People on this road use each other for it is a self-centered life. Most on the "broad way" don't like the road or the crowd - they just don't
know how to leave it. A certain truth is
if you have to "do wrong" to "feel-good" then something is
wrong.
·
It's End
- "leads
to destruction"
Most people don't look where they're going. A very important question for all of us today
is “If
you get where you’re going, where will you be?” Nowhere is this question more important than
when it is related to eternity. At some
point all of us will come to the end of our road. Jesus said, if you find yourself on this road
you will find yourself at this destination.
The wide paths have many ways that you can take and stay on the
path. Some will travel down Substance
Abuse street. Some it will walk down Pride Avenue. Others will travel down
Materialism Way. Some will travel down Sexual Sins Estate road. Some will take
Hate Street or they will walk down Murder Avenue. Many will walk down Apathy
lane.
The point is, you don't have to do anything to ruin your life. As a
matter of fact that's how you ruin it, by not doing anything. Most people don't care where they are going
just as long as the way is spacious and filled with pleasure and friends. An
example is leading hogs into a pen by giving them exactly what they want. They
never look to see where they are going. People today are the same way.
Don’t fall into the easy path that leads to destruction. Be intentional and live your life with
purpose. Consider carefully the
decisions you make and the path you choose to follow.
There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12
