Of Bible gates and ways

“Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it,” Matthew 7:13.

These are the closing words of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus was speaking to his disciples — his followers or learners. “Enter ye in at the straight gate” are words absolutely unknown to some. This is not a dark saying, but the meaning is crystal clear. This is an imperative, a commandment to his hearers and to us, his disciples, who read his words. The entrance into eternal life is by a straight gate. The word “straight” comes from a Greek word meaning narrow — so narrow as to make passage difficult.

Entrance into eternal life is through the straight gate — a narrow passage, or channel. Jesus Christ himself is the straight gate, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.

If there is none other name but Jesus whereby we must be saved, then men and women who claim to have “another prophet” or “another messiah” are deceived and still in their sins. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh to the Father, but by me.”

If there is no other name but Jesus whereby we must be saved, then Mohammed and Buddha are not a way to the Father, no matter how many millions there are who believe in them.

We do not doubt the religious sincerity of those millions or their very human faith, but their faith is not the faith of Jesus Christ, therefore is not the faith of God’s elect.

That course of life and actions that will bring a man to the Father is straight, not at all gratifying men’s sensitive appetites. There are but few who find it. That is narrow, right? But the gate is said to be straight, narrow. The way to heaven is and shall be found to be a straight way. God has laid it out so, and all the opinions of men to the contrary shall not change that truth. You may say, “I don’t believe it, I refuse to believe it.” God’s word replies, “… he that believeth not shall be damned.”

The narrow path to heaven is straight, unpleasing to flesh and blood, not at all gratifying men’s sensitive appetites. It is a way where its travelers meet with much trial and testing. There are but few who find it.

Jesus also said, “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat.”

Yes, the gate that leads to destruction is wide — it is easy and unrestricted. Nobody would call this wide gate “bigoted” or “narrow.” It is definitely the opposite of straight. This gate accommodates all those who refuse the straight gate in their unbelief. Their numbers are infinitely more than those who pass through the straight gate. One does not have to leave his life of pride, self, sin and degradation to enter through this gate. One can live his life in the fullness of the lust of his own inherently depraved heart and slip easily through this wide gate. There is no difficulty in walking in the way of sin, which leads to eternal ruin. The gate of carnal lusts and worldly pleasures stands wide open. The Bible teaches us that there is definitely pleasure in sin — but it is for only a season.

Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction. The broad ways of this present evil world are filled with those who follow their own lusts and the malignant spirit — the spirit that now works in all the children of disobedience. Broad-minded, they are. So many seem to pride themselves in their broad-mindedness. A dear relative — who was on this broad road asked this writer, “You are not going to be a bigot are you?” She knew I believed the Bible to be the very word of God. That is the way of the world.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Many people on the broad road are not as immoral and debauched as others, yet their pride and self-centeredness will not allow them to enter in at the straight gate and walk the narrow way. Many “good men,” as the world defines “goodness,” shall spend an eternity in perdition in the lake of fire. These refuse the straight gate.

There is but one way to the Heavenly Father, dear reader. That way — the straight gate — is Jesus Christ, the eternal son of the living God.

He that believeth on the son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Here is the straight gate — there is none other!

Leon King is pastor for Hidden Hills Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Willow.

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