The Strait Way and the Broad Way

Look with me at two very famous verses, Matthew 7:13-14

Matthew 7:13–14 KJV 1900

13 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: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

All my life I have thought there to be only one possible interpretation/application to this passage, but when you begin to study the Bible it has a way of opening up endless possibilities. I want to propose to you two applications to this passage, the first is the obvious, it is a...

Pathway to Heaven

Jesus had just finished a section in this sermon on prayer, now he is transitioning to another subject, illustrating how difficult it is for some to be saved.

The word “strait” means, literally, “narrow”, the word translated as “narrow” in verse 14 means “crowded” the idea is that of bottle necking as you near an entrance.

The meaning here could not be more clear, Jesus commands those who will be saved to come the narrow way, the less travelled way, the only way...

John 14:6 KJV 1900

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

That is the truth that Jesus offers, but Satan comes along and says, “There are many ways to God, all religions are essentially the same, and all lead to God.” I heard Oprah Winfrey say that on her show several years ago. Thank God there was a godly lady that stood up on national TV and told her otherwise!

The broad way is the path that leads to “destruction” the word means ruin and loss, destruction, and death. The idea being that there are more people on the roadway to hell than on the pathway to heaven.

There are more choices for sure. Satan has offered many alternatives to the truth, but guess what? They are all lies! The broad way is the selfish way, the broad way is the self indulgent way. This way is plagued by “false prophets”, this is why Jesus warns in Matthew 7:15

Matthew 7:15 KJV 1900

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

How many false teachers are out there right now, drawing large numbers to the church, but no one to Christ? How many false prophets right now are lying to their congregation, saying things like, “God loves you no matter what, you don’t have to change?” Andy Stanley? Joel Osteen?

To us, you and me, Jesus tells us to look at their fruit, Matt. 7:16-20

Matthew 7:16–20 KJV 1900

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

These are messengers of Satan leading people away from the pathway to heaven, down the pathway of destruction.

Here is my dilemma. Everyone in this room tonight understands this interpretation of the passage. The narrow way is the way to heaven, the broad way leads to hell. I get it. I won’t belabor it further, this is why I was excited to find another application to this passage, it was exciting to see someone else offer this suggestion, why? Becasue since we understand this to be heaven and hell, since we have chosen heaven over hell, it has lost its meaning in a setting like this, however, what if there was another understanding of this pathway, what if it was a...

Pathway to Blessing

In Jerusalem there were several gates leading into the city. Most of which were large, wide, elaborate and inviting. These are the ones used by the masses, those who were going to the temple to fulfill their religious obligations.

Then there were other gates, smaller, more narrow, not as ornate. These gates were used by merchants making deliveries, by those taking out the garbage or cleaning up the animal waste, or the gates which pack animals would enter in through. This is the gate of service.

If this is what Jesus had in mind, and it could be because when He says, “Becasue strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life...” the word he used for life is NOT eternal life, but daily life. It is possible Jesus was referring to how few of God’s people actually practice what they preach, and how many find themselves on the “broad way” living like the world.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be on the pathway to spiritual maturity.

Let’s face it, there are a lot more carnal Christians than spiritual. Why? Becasue it is easier to be carnal, that’s why! To be spiritually mature you have to change, to be carnal you can stay the same.

How then does this play into verses 15-20? Those Christians who are carnal are the false prophets to the unsaved! By their hypocritical lifestyle they are saying to the world, I am a Christian, but I’m just like you, and it comes as no surprise that the world says right back to them, “Then why would I want to change?”

Conclusion: Both applications of this passage are good. Both demonstrate two faults in Christianity. On one hand false teachers are teaching a false gospel, on the other hand carnal believers are setting a false example for unbelievers.

Which path are you on? The strait path, the narrow path, in salvation and in service? or the broad path to the destruction of your soul or your testimony?