From the Book, Rules For Life: According To Jesus

10. Stay On The Narrow Path 

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to destruction is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.  But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”  

Matthew 7:13-14

Opponents of Jesus and His followers accuse us of being “narrow minded”, as if that’s a bad thing. However, He is not talking about narrow thinking; He is talking about something much broader than that. In fact, this topic can be so broad that most people in the world don’t have a clue what He means. 

He is talking about getting right with God here. And that’s why the world doesn’t understand. There is only one path (a narrow one) that leads to everlasting life. If there were any other path, then why would Jesus have to suffer a horrible death for us? 

Jesus said of Himself,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”   

John 14:6

Peter said,

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12

And if you think that God is some Holly-Jolly giant who will forgive everyone no matter what, think again. If you think that you are a good person and He has no grounds for sending you away from His holy presence for all eternity, consider this: He told us through His prophet Isaiah that man’s “goodness” is about as clean to Him as a used tampon. Here’s how He really said it:

“We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.

Isaiah 64:6

The “rags” he’s talking about are menstrual rags. 

So, if you approach God with some sort of religious activity to show how pious you are, it isn’t going to work. This one verse in the Bible truly eliminates every single religion ever known to man that depends on human effort (which is a very broad road). And “Christians” aren’t exempt from taking the wrong path either (surprise, surprise). 

Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it? I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

Galatians 3:1-5

Faith in Christ is the narrow path; not human effort. Yet the vast majority of humankind thinks differently. So sad.

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Sections in this study:
Introduction
1: Repent
2: Be Born Again
3: Place God First
4: Love and Serve One Another
5: Live By Faith
6: Forgive Others
7: Remain in Jesus
8: Live Righteously Before Men
9: Avoid Bad Influences
10: Stay On The Narrow Path
11: Do Not Return Evil With Evil
12: Give More Than Is Demanded
13: Love Your Enemies
14: Check Your Motives
15: Pray Simply
16: Do Not Worry
17: Store Up Treasures In Heaven
18: Do Not Be Judgmental
19: Guard what is Sacred
20: Care For Those In Distress
21: Do Not Swear Oaths
22: Watch out for false prophets
23: Exercise Spiritual Power
24: Have Childlike Faith
25: Do Not Exalt Yourself
26: Settle Disputes Quickly
27: Settle Disputes Between Believers
28: Do not Oppose Brethren
29: Remember Me
30: Be Merciful
31: Make Disciples
32: Be Ready
33: Obey Jesus’ Commands
Closing Comments