Jesus identifies these two races. He says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Two races, two crowds, two starting points, two tracks, two finish lines.
To be a winner, we must run and win the right race. To win the wrong race is to lose the right one. We can only win if we run and win the right one — God’s race. Jesus describes the rat race this way, “The gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are they that enter by it” (Matthew 7:13). What does the rat race look like? Jesus says it is wide open, crowded, deadly and easily accessed.
|
|
Thankfully, there is a totally different race. This race is the right race. It is God’s race for our lives. Jesus calls this track “the narrow path.” He says, “Enter by the narrow gate…. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). What does the narrow path look like? Matthew 7:13-14 points out four characteristics of the right race.
The narrow path is tight. This road, Jesus says, is “narrow” meaning very tight, confining and constricting. It is a one land road. Its travelers are hemmed in by carefully defined boundaries. It is a narrow ledge on a precipice. It confines, not in a stifling way, but in a protective sense. This road is tight, giving its travelers singleness of direction and purpose. It alone takes you where you want to go — to the top.
Jesus Christ teaches that this narrow path is the Christian life. It is a life lived in humble submission to Jesus. It is seeking first the spiritual kingdom of God and his righteousness while trusting God to provide the earthly and physical things of life. There is only room on this path for a man to walk with Christ, to follow him closely, and to enjoy an intimate, personal relationship with him. There can be no other gods.
Jesus said, “If any one wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). On another occasion the Lord Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). He must be number one.
The narrow path is almost empty. Jesus says that, because it is narrow, “few” travel in it. This road is no Parks Highway. It is the road less traveled. Jesus calls the church His “little flock” meaning his “micro” flock (Luke 12:32). Most people we know are not on this path. The great number of people we went to school with are not on this narrow path. Most of the people we sat next to on the airplane last week are not on this path. Few shall find it. It is a lonely race. Many times we will run alone. We find our strength, not in numbers, but in the Lord.
The narrow path leads to heaven. Jesus said, “The gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Matthew 7:14). He is talking about our eternal destiny.
There are only two destinies that await us beyond the grave. Heaven and hell. All people will spend eternity in one of the two. No exceptions. Jesus is saying that only one road leads home to God. Only one road leads to an eternal blessing and to an eternal dwelling with God.
What is life? It is the very opposite of death. Death is separation from the source of life. It is a severance from God. By contrast, life is vital union with God, who is life. It is a personal relationship with God.
The narrow path is secluded. Jesus cautions, “Enter by the narrow gate… the gate is small…. and few are those who find it.” This road is hard to find and requires earnest searching with all our heart. It is off the beaten path, away from the noisy throng. This narrow path is hard to find because it requires the Holy Spirit’s guidance to discover it (1 Corinthians 2:14-16). It is hard to enter because it is narrow, requiring heart searching repentance and complete faith. No one stumbles upon it. Neither does anyone stumble through it.
Winning is coming to know God through his son, Jesus Christ. It is committing our life to Christ and choosing to live for him. It is trusting in his sacrificial death upon the cross. It is allowing the blood of Jesus to wash away our sins. Winning is serving Christ and giving our life away to help others in this same pursuit. It is leading others into the race and encouraging them along the way. Winning is running faithful to the end, persevering to the finish line, overcoming life’s obstacles, and winning Christ’s incorruptible crown.
If a man win’s God’s race, it doesn’t matter where else he loses. If a man loses God’s race, it matters not where else he may win.
Ethan Hansen is pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship of Big Lake. He can be reached at ehansen@biglakefaithbible.org
Comments
No comments posted.