Just Keeping It Real (Part 8)

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Text: Matthew 7:13-14

English Standard Version Chapter 7

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Introduction

As we continue our Just Keeping It Real series, we encounter another reality that confronts all humanity—making choices. Some people mistakenly believe that they can make a choice not to believe and follow Jesus Christ and can still make it to heaven.

Well, let me tell it to you the way Jesus told it to Nicodemus, Jesus said, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18

In other words, by saying “I’m not going to make a choice,” you have already made a choice. It is called the “default.” All humanity born is sin shaped in iniquity, and are enemies of God. It is part of man’s rebellious sin nature to reject the authority of his Maker.

God has so ordained our daily lives to be a series making choices. Generally speaking, we make choices of when to lay down and get up; what to eat; where to go; who to meet; what to believe or not believe, etc. Some choices are good and others are bad. The bottom line is, choices have consequences.

Our text today is part of the conclusion of Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount,” which includes chapters 5-7. The scene is a multitude of predominantly Jewish people gathered together on a mountainside to hear the greatest teacher ever to teach. For Jesus taught with authority, unlike the Scribes and Pharisees who relied heavily upon rabbinical tradition.

There is and has always been a lot of talk and opinions about Heaven, and how to get there. Scarcely does anyone want to talk about Hell and how to avoid it. Thus, it behooves us today to set the record straight. Again, this is personal and it applies to you and me. Since you gonna’ run out of time, and you goin’ somewhere, you better make the Right Choice, which is the Life Choice.

English Standard Version Chapter 7

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

Jesus taught many things during this sermon. Among His teachings were the righteousness of the Kingdom of God and its blessedness, the proper way to pray, fast, and give; how to properly set life’s priorities; and the avoidance of judging others and not first applying the same judgment to yourself.

Here in 7:13, Jesus comes to the point of the sermon where He tells His listeners, you have a choice to make. His command is that they would Make the Life Choice represented as the narrow gate. In other words, if you want your destiny to be heaven, then find the narrow gate and hard way and choose it. Otherwise, you have chosen the wide gate and easy way that leads to Hell.

The contrast is clear. The wide gate and easy way comes natural to a person. You need not search for it because it is there in front of you. You can decide the rules you want to follow or make up your own rules. You can have it your way and do it your way. This way is judgement free. Any religion will do or no religion at all—It’s all about you.

In fact, you can take the parts of the Bible that you like (blessings, grace, mercy, love) and disregard the parts you don’t (sin, the wrath of God, Judgment Day, and Hell). Or, you can dismiss it altogether as fable, fantasy, and fiction. After all, the majority of people have always chosen the wide gate and easy way. The attraction of prosperity and riches induce people to this way.

We have already seen the end results of those who have chosen this way: The rich man who God said was a fool in Luke 12:16-21, and the futility of and vanity of worldly possessions that Jesus spoke of in Mark 8:36 (possessing it all and then losing your own soul, with nothing to give in exchange). Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

Notice that both gates lead to a path that has a destiny. As mentioned, the wide gate and easy path ends in destruction, which is hell. Those who choose this path are many in number. it is the common way. You do not have to change anything about yourself. This way is wide enough to accommodate any lifestyle you choose to live. As the old R&B song went, “It’s your thing, do what you want to do.”

English Standard Version Chapter 7

14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

In contrast, the narrow and hard way leads to life or the pathway to heaven, and those who find it are few in number. This way does not come naturally, because it has to be sought after. Jesus had just told His audience in verses 7-8, if they ask, seek, and knock, God would grant their petitions. For these petitions are for the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.

Furthermore, Jesus did not sugar-coat the Life Choice, but rather warned that this narrow gate and pathway is hard because it comes with persecution and rejection. Nevertheless, Jesus said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

Jesus said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12

With regard to this narrow and hard way, Jesus said that there are few in number that find it. Few find it because few seek it. The Jew in Jesus’ day equated riches with righteousness and believed that by virtue of their national heritage and adherence to the law they would merit salvation. This is one of the reasons why Jesus’ teaching was so radical.

Jesus taught that true righteousness comes by faith in what God has said and in whom God has sent. Self-righteousness and feeble attempts to keep the law does not and will not please God. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

Hebrews 11:6, says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

The sad fact is, that most people will choose the wide gate and easy way, because that is what they prefer. As Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:19-21,

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (21) But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

Conclusion

The Bible is replete with simple yet profound choices. In Deuteronomy 30:19, God presented the children of Israel with a choice, He said, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”

God spoke through Ezekiel similar words, in Ezekiel 33:11, “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

These words of Jesus do not represent a contrast between Christianity and paganism, as many may think and some teach. But rather, it is a contrast between the right choice and the wrong choice. The Right Choice is the Life Choice, which is Christ. All other choices are wrong and lead to eternal damnation in Hell. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” That means, no one gets to heaven except they enter through the narrow gate and hard pathway, who is Jesus Christ. People think there are other ways, but I am reminded of what Proverbs 16: 25, says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Lord I pray that at least one somebody will hear your words and make the right choice, which is The Life Choice, who is Christ. For it is Christ who died on Calvary’s cross for the sins of all who seek Him by faith. And, then rose on the third day for our justification. For Jesus said, in John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

Oh, bless that wonderful name of Jesus. He’s sweet I know. I heard the song writer say:

Time is filled with swift transition, Naught of earth unmoved can stand, Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Trust in Him who will not leave you, Whatsoever years may bring, If by earthly friends forsaken Still more closely to Him cling.

Covet not this world’s vain riches That so rapidly decay, Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures, They will never pass away.

When your journey is completed, If to God you have been true, Fair and bright the home in glory Your enraptured soul will view.

Refrain: Hold to God’s unchanging hand, Hold to God’s unchanging hand; Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.