All Scriptural Passages are from New King James Version unless otherwise stated!

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Mt.7:13, 14)

This statement by the Lord made near the end of the Sermon on the Mount tells of two gates and two ways.  One way will be few; the other will be many.  Our Lord is saying that all people fall into one of these groups and pass through one of the gates and arrive at one of the destinations. 

It seems our Lord and Savior has painted us a picture of two cities. One with a narrow gate and a wide gate, with one gate opening to a small street where traffic is limited, and one where the entrance is like a 16 lane freeway where many can travel. The wide gate will lead to destruction, and the narrow gate leads to life.  I submit a few observations about the “narrow” gate.

First, Jesus implores us to enter by the narrow gate.  Lk.13:24 – “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.”  Strive is translated as “laboring fervently.” It demands that we put our blood, sweat, and tears into the labor. It becomes our primary focus. Is there any other endeavor in life more important than obtaining eternal life with Jesus? No None!

We are to “Fight the good fight of faith.” (1Ti.6:12)  Jesus’ intent was for us to understand that life, everlasting life, could only be obtained by entering through the narrow gate.  The key to open that gate or door is “in Him.”  (Ro.6:3; Ga.3:27)

The gate is “Strait.”  Meaning that it is hemmed in, not easy to enter into it. The word means “not crooked.”  No deviation, no easy entry. It will take a discipline that those that love the Lord will readily embrace.  Look at Re. 21:12 – It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates.  The gates are not shut, but each is  narrow:  “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Re.21:27)

Second, this gate will have few that pass through it, in opposition to the wide gate that many will find.  A road seldom traveled, not many will find its path.  It requires effort and thought, desire and dedication, obedience and submission.

“Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers.” (De.7:12)

God demands obedience to His will. There is no other way. There is also effort and thought regarding the inspired word of God. “Meditate on these things.” (Phil4:8)  Desire and dedication in the Holy Scriptures go hand in hand with that obedience and submission to the Scripture and submitting to God’s will.  We would all do well to remember the greatest act of submission to our Great Creator came from His own Son. “And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Mt.26:39)

Third, we must enter through the gate, no going around it, no jumping the fence, no short cuts through the gate.  Through the gate lies eternal bliss, the place for us reserved by our names in the book of life.  We cannot ride on the coattails of our parents or our grandparents. We must enter into it ourselves.  Only those that comply with the whole will of God will enter through the gate. (Mt.7:21; 1Jn2:4; Re.22:14) The narrow way leads to LIFE! 

What a blessing we have when we die in the Lord.  Our reward is through the gate; sin and death can no longer take us; we will be united with our Savior in heaven, standing before the throne of God, singing and praising His mighty name. 

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Re.14:13)