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Why did God make salvation such a narrow path?
Matthew 7:13 - 14
ESV - 13 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.
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Asked July 01 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the...
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Dan Rivers
Supporter
In Matt 7:13,14 I believe Jesus was speaking of the method of salvation available prior to the cross. It was virtually impossible to obey the law completely...i.e. Gal 3:10 NLT - But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God's Book of the Law." Yet God by his Grace chose save a few, i.e. Noah, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Elijah, etc... Rom 11:4 NLT - And do you remember God's reply? He said, "No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!" Rom 11:5 NLT - It is the same today, for a FEW of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God's grace--his undeserved kindness in choosing them. After the cross the Holy Spirit was released like 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart... John 7:38,39 and made available to many... Mat 20:28 NLT - For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for MANY." Rom 5:19 NLT - Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, MANY will be made righteous. Heb 9:28, Jesus also says "many" in Matt 20:28, Rev 7:9 Jesus worked with what he had, the Law. We know he came to fulfill the law...Matt 5:17 and Grace was not available until after the cross... And it's NOT "hard", Jesus said HIS yoke (Grace) is EASY and his burden is light, Matt 11:30 Isn't it easy to be saved ALL we have to do IS just believe in him, John 3:16, John 6:28, 29, Rom 10:9. All Praise and Glory to the Lord!
Andy Mangus
Supporter
My short and unique answer is one of looking at the beginning of sin entering man. Adam and Eve were given a simple command by God to obey in The Garden of Eden and by their disobediance, sin and the human weakness of desiring what THIS WORLD has to offer came into implication in a dramatic way! This was the beginning for the many, many choices man has to consider for making a decision!
Adam and Eve had it simple! God had and would have continued providing for their every single need without even having to work, labor or toil for anything they needed! {{Emphasis intended!}} BUT, because of weakness to temptation of what was just the beginning of Satan's alluring "desires this world offers", we face a really "WIDE road! (This is that alluring WIDE Road that the world offers!) "Narrow is the way that leads to righteousness, but wide is the path that leads to eternal damnation!"(Matthew 7:13). My point here is that God DID NOT make the path to Heaven narrow or difficult! Who did? Man-(Eve and then Adam)- did by succumbing to that first 'alluring' temptation of disobedience or pursuit of satisfying what our flesh desires instead of being obedient to God's straight and simple command of "thou shalt not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil" and totally TRUSTING IN GOD and His divine truth!"(Put your trust and faith in JESUS CHRIST and HIM alone and "ye shall be saved.") Adam and Eve just could not resist the temptation presented them and chose to disobey!. They were BOTH deceived! (Genesis).
"Praise God that He provided a Savior! And, His name is Jesus Christ!" --Andy--
James Kraft
Supporter
It is a narrow way because it is only through the blood of Jesus that we can be saved. There is no other way. Jesus said there will be many who try to climb up some other way. But Jesus said he is the only way. Only his blood sacrifice for all our sin can save us. Nothing but the blood of Jesus can save us guilty sinners. Jesus only accepts His righteousness, not our own righteousness. We can only be accepted into heaven by what He did, not by what we do. We cannot save ourselves, only Jesus can save us. He is the narrow way. All other ways are false and lead to hell. We must have faith that Jesus paid for all our sin. There are no other ways. If someone does not trust Him to save, that person is not saved. No one can be 'good enough' to go to heaven. Only the blood sacrifice of Jesus can save us. It is either Jesus or nothing. You either believe it, or you do not believe it. If you accept it by faith alone, you are saved. If you do not accept by faith alone, you are not saved. Jesus gives life, and it is everlasting life. If you do not have eternal life, you are not saved. Unfortunately, many who call themselves Christians are unbelievers. Some have never trusted Jesus to save them, but they are trusting in what they do (works) to save them. Jesus said our work can not save us. Only His work can save us. He died a horrible death so that we could be saved through what He did for us. Yet some still reject that, thinking they still need to save themselves. He did. Jesus is the narrow way to be saved. You are either saved by His grace and mercy, or you are not saved. Jesus said I am the door, no one comes to the father but through me. One way in. No other way. It is Jesus or nothing. Either Him or what you do. What you do can not save you. Only what he did for you can save you. If you have not trusted in His blood sacrifice for all your sin, you are not saved. Some, sadly, will go to hell because they have never heard the gospel preached, so they never get saved. Jesus said He died for the sins of the whole world. He said He draws all men to be saved. In that sense, the road is not narrow at all - but open to all. Yet it is narrow because most will not have faith. Salvation is the most important doctrine of the whole bible. It is the difference between heaven and hell.
Grant Abbott
Supporter
In my view, these two gates represent two voices speaking to us. Jesus is standing at the narrow gate, and through the truth of scripture he is saying "Come to me and I will give you an abundantly fulfilling and deeply satisfying life. Just accept me as your personal saviour and ask me to become the Lord of your life and I will open the gate for you. My Spirit will come to live inside you to fill your life with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control - and all the other Godly virtues that are part of my character. This fruit will keep your life full and satisfying no matter what circumstances affect your human existence. My material and other rewards for your faithfulness will be yours to enjoy for all eternity in my new Heaven and Earth. Our enemy Satan and his evil demons stand at the wide gate, exhorting us to experience all that this world has to offer under his control. The road is so wide because there are so many things to chase after. Advertising signs are everywhere so we don't forget all the choices we have. "Come and find wealth, power, fame, success, prosperity, family, friends, career, houses, cars, toys, health, education, recreation, entertainment. These things will give your life meaning and purpose, fulfilment and satisfaction." But these worldly choices are all lies and deceptions. This wide road only leads to God's judgment against our sinful rebellion and our eternal punishment in the lake of burning fire. The good news is that Jesus has placed lots of exit signs along this wide road for us to see. The signs are quite simple really. Just his name "Jesus Christ" and a "cross" showing how to get off the wide road and onto the narrow road. Come to Jesus and find real life eternal.
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