Truth Streams

“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.” Matt 7:13-14

I know that most Christians have heard countless messages that emphasize the dangers of the broad way. You have probably heard that the broad way is a path that is filled with all sorts of danger and uncertainty. Certainly you have heard that the broad way is one that has a universal destination in the region of destruction and ruin. You have probably also heard that the broad way leads to an undesirable destination and that countless souls have pounded this pernicious pavement on their way to a Christ-less eternity. All these and many other such things are indeed true about the broad way and the wide gate.

In the interests of balance and wishing to present both sides of the story, I feel led to write about the perils of the narrow way and the strait gate. It is certainly true that each path has its own set of dangers. This article is in no way meant to be an exhaustive study of the perils of the narrow way. It is however my intention to present to you some of the main dangers you will face if you choose or have chosen to travel the narrow way.

And so I present to you the perils of the strait and narrow. The first peril of the narrow way is…

Separation From the False and Deceptive

The broad way might run parallel to the narrow way for a while, but it will soon branch off in another direction. Those who refuse to surrender their life to God might travel in the same basic direction as the godly, but only for a while. It becomes evident before long who has decided to take a stand with Jesus and really serve Him and who is just traveling temporarily in the same basic direction. Before long, there will come a fork in the road that will distinguish between the casual and the committed.

There is so much that is false and phony in this world. Living a life that is committed to serving Jesus will bring about a separation between you and that which is false. Walking the path of holiness will naturally bring about separation between you and many things that are rooted in the fallen nature. The world fashions with hands of deception. The product may shine and glitter but its true origin is obscured by the dazzle and the sizzle. A common characteristic of the false and deceptive is to obscure motives and conceal the heart. Yet a life of godliness is transparent.

These divergent philosophies cause a separation at some point in the journey of life. The longer you travel the narrow way, the fewer your companions from the other side. The narrow way is too constraining for those who wish to practice deception and conceal the carnality that lives in their heart. The gate to life is too strait for those who have never rid their heart of that which is false.

This is the first peril of the strait and narrow. It will separate you from that which is false and deceptive.

“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Cor 4:2

This is true because the path you travel requires transparency and gut-wrenching honesty. The next peril of the strait and narrow is…

Alienation From the Wicked and Sinful

Not only does the strait and narrow separate one from deceitful doctrines and philosophies, but it also separates from wicked lifestyles and practices. This is true concerning wicked things as well as wicked people. The path of godliness is one that you cannot travel while concealing the direction you have taken. Again the strait and narrow is a path of transparency and honesty.

This is no excuse for in-your-face offensiveness, yet sinners often perceive a believer’s attitude to be that. Living the Christian life does not require us to be rude or unkind to others who are yet in sin. But the very fact that you would dare to walk another path than they have chosen is enough to inflame many who are bound to sin. It is conviction in the sinful heart that causes the unsaved to despise your way of life. Many times they strike out in hatred in an attempt to discredit and heap scorn upon the godly.

When believers experience open resistance concerning the path of godliness from those who do not serve the Lord, they often react in disbelief. And yet this is a well-advertised peril of the strait and narrow. Jesus said:

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” (Matt 10:34-36)

The sinful cannot understand why you don’t live the same way you used to.

“For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:” 1 Peter 4:3-4

One of the perils of the strait and narrow is that those who have chosen to walk in the broad way will speak evil of you. They will ascribe all manner of evil motive to you simply because you no longer travel their direction. Another peril of the strait and narrow is…

Realignment of Priorities and Practices

When you come to God and totally surrender to Him, something wonderful happens. Along with reconciliation comes a rebirth and a remolding of you as a person.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor 5:17

While one is still the same person in many ways, in other important ways one is not the same. Part of the new birth package is a realignment of life priorities and practices. This is a natural consequence of the path you have decided to travel.

This can become a peril if one expects to surrender their life to the Lord and then arise to live the same old sinful, selfish way. This rearranging often includes discomfort with things that used to be important. God begins to change one’s priorities and with that realignment comes lifestyle changes.

Here is the rub: Many begin to walk the Christian path expecting to continue to maintain the same priorities and lifestyle. When the Holy Ghost inside begins to prompt them to change in certain ways, they resist. There is a very real danger in resisting the Holy Ghost. Many fight against these changes as they travel the narrow way and end up stumbling and losing their direction. They have set their mind and are determined to not change the way they live. Be careful here.

The narrow way is narrow for a reason. The way is narrow because the gate at the end of life’s journey is strait or narrow also. The goal of life is to be on the path that shoots through that strait gate at the end of the journey. The strait gate is the only one that opens into life.

When you are traveling the narrow path, at some point along the way God will deal with you about your priorities and lifestyle. It is a mistake to judge others who have not yet come to that place in the path. It is also a mistake to despise the lifestyle changes God makes in others who are sincerely trying to serve God to the best of their ability. One of the perils of the narrow path is to allow disunity to enter God’s family over changes in priorities and practices brought about by the Lord Himself.

For those who feel they already have the course of their life figured out, there is another peril of the strait and narrow…

Embracing a Divine Life Purpose

A divine life purpose is one that does not begin and end with self. One of the very real perils of the strait and narrow is that you are no longer able to plan life around your own purpose. God’s purpose is often very different than our own. If you already have your life planned out, the life of godliness is a perilous path to travel.

Many a soul has attempted to travel God’s path and follow their own direction at the same time. Saul of Tarsus learned that it is hard to go through life kicking against God’s divine ox goad. Peter learned that he must forsake his nets to become a fisher of men. David had to leave his sheep to become a shepherd to God’s people.

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.” Ps 32:8-9

If you are determined to follow your own dream and fulfill the purpose you have determined for your life, the narrow path will be much too confining for you. You will prefer a broader way that will allow you more options and greater discretion. Traveling the narrow way will require you to discover and embrace God’s purpose for your life. This would be a tragedy if you consider your purpose more important that His.

Conclusion:

You have heard many messages about the dangers of the wide gate and the broad way. I thought it good to share with you some of the dangers of the narrow way.

Now I will remind you that though it is not without its own dangers, the reason the way of holiness is restrictive is two-fold:

• To protect you from the dangers outside God’s plan for your life.
• To convey you to the very thin gate that leads to everlasting life.

Which path will you travel? Choose your way carefully.

© 2008 Nevin Bass. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced for the purpose of resale without written permission.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 7th, 2009 at 8:39 pm and is filed under Miscellaneous Topics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.