Two Paths of Judgment

“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.” Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV).

Have you ever been travelling on a trip – long or short – and you come to a crossroads, a divide in the road and you must choose which way you are going to go? In doing this have you ever made the wrong choice, and ended up somewhere you never intended? In this passage of Scripture Jesus tells us of “two gates”. One gate leads to life, and the other leads to death and destruction. Jesus tells us to enter the “strait gate” or “narrow gate”. This thought gives us a picture of a path that is also narrow. The other gate is wide and broad, and this is the journey which all of us are on until we heed the call through the “Narrow gate”. The broad gate leading to destruction is the one of popularity. You go along to get along. There is tolerance. There is political correctness. There you can be and are expected to be Socially Progressive. It is the gate of the masses. It flows with ease; everyone is going the same direction.

The “Narrow gate” is one which only very few enter. This gate has a high price to enter it. It requires righteousness. The self-righteousness of hypocrisy is not good enough. It is a stench. It is the hard way of travel. The roads are narrow, bumpy, rocky, and the hills are steep, but O, what a view. No one takes this journey – this gate – without first counting the cost. Remember the price for entrance is righteousness. We cannot except someone else who is of cleaner, heart, soul, mind, and body pay the price. The price? That of His life. It is the life of Jesus. He is the only righteous man who ever lived.

We must conclude also that there are two groups of people represented here. Quoting John MacArthur, “The many will include pagans and nominal Christians, atheist and religionists, theists and humanists, Jews and Gentiles — every person from whatever age, background, persuasion, and circumstance who has not come to saving obedience to Jesus Christ.” MATTHEW, Vol. 1, p. 457 of THE MACARTHUR NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY.

The few is not few because there is no room. Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection has provided room for all who will believe. However, you come in through the gate at the price He paid, not yours or mine. The room God provides is boundless. We must believe that Jesus died for all. In Adam all sinned, so in Jesus Christ; the second Adam; it is possible for all to be saved. The price for the narrow gate, which leads to life; has been paid in full by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The price you pay for the broad way; which leads to destruction; will be paid by you, and for all eternity.

Choose you this day which way you will go. Jesus and the narrow way, or yourself, popularity, your self-righteousness, and destruction.