How narrow is the path?

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OwenHeidenreich

Guest
#1
“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 road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (*Matthew‬ *7‬:*13-14‬ NIV)

How narrow is that path? How do you know, brothers and sisters, that your lifestyle lines up with the narrow road that we are required to take?

What if the things you do are sinful and you don't know it?
How do you rationalize your lifestyle?
 
Oct 30, 2014
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#2
“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 road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (*Matthew‬ *7‬:*13-14‬ NIV)

How narrow is that path? How do you know, brothers and sisters, that your lifestyle lines up with the narrow road that we are required to take?

What if the things you do are sinful and you don't know it?
How do you rationalize your lifestyle?
Narrow enough, I suspect, that it isn't the one with nearly 2 billion people on it ....
 
Jun 4, 2014
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#3
You know if you die. For the wages of sin IS death! Does that necessarily mean all die sinners? No. Prophets are killed by the sinners who die.

The path can ONLY be reached when you all finally listen to people like me when we say put down money and all things standing between us working TOGETHER! That's what it means to give all for Christ, which is the love of God manifested! He came to save all, even if it takes death for you to give it.


Ants understand this. Some are blind, some are strong, some only wander in search of new areas for food. Some still only gather food. One only lays eggs. All work TOGETHER! So until we humble ourselves and stop thinking we can improve upon the free nature around us, we will always enlarge the pit of hell.
 
Dec 9, 2011
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#4
1 John 1:9
king james version(kjv)

9.)If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#5
About as narrow as Jesus, faith, grace and the simplicity that is found in JESUS.........!
 
May 15, 2013
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#6
“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 road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (*Matthew‬ *7‬:*13-14‬ NIV)

How narrow is that path? How do you know, brothers and sisters, that your lifestyle lines up with the narrow road that we are required to take?

What if the things you do are sinful and you don't know it?
How do you rationalize your lifestyle?
From someone interpretation about the path is, back then no one take the risk of taking the narrow road, because they know it doesn't lead to nothing, there's no certainty taken that route; if you take it, you'll be walking by faith; but the wide road always leads to something. God just want to know that you've felt guilty of the sin that you are doing and that is showing repentance, but you are to weak and you need Him to strengthen you.
 
Sep 16, 2014
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#7
“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 road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (*Matthew‬ *7‬:*13-14‬ NIV)

How narrow is that path? How do you know, brothers and sisters, that your lifestyle lines up with the narrow road that we are required to take?

What if the things you do are sinful and you don't know it?
How do you rationalize your lifestyle?
You ask a very large question! Yours should be a great thread.

The path Jesus spoke of is narrow in that it is very clear-cut. Down in verse 15 His sermon moves on to false prophets. Their spiritual fruit offers a very wide way, generous enuogh to admit probably the whole world regardless of whether meeting God's requirements. Even today I heard a podcast teaching that God matches the way to God according to national cultures. That's the widest path I've ever heard of. I will try to figure out who it was and unsubscribe tonight.

The narrow path of Jesus is likened to a circle of thorns and vines prepared by a shepherd to keep his flock together overnight, and often throughout a storm. There would be only one way into the sheephold, that being the only way out. Typical sheepfolds were very small, maybe a dozen, easy to protect like that. The entrance would be very narrow, and the shepherd would sleep in that entrance. He also had to be on guard against a predator trying to get through a weakness in the vines, of course not choosing to try overcoming the shepherd.

By analogy Jesus is our shepherd, we are His sheepfold. The only way into His kingdom is through Him. His requirements are few, but very strict.

In short, very short, the Shepherd is interested in whether you are of the Good, or the Evil. All His ideas of entrance are like that, white or black. By faith or by empirical evidence. Repented of sin or still given over to sin. Following Him or going around Him. Choosing spiritual life, or still choosing death in all it's forms.

A wide path could admit all who hope to stumble in without making such choices.

My wife and I drove 900 miles to Los Angeles, California to visit a dying relative in Anaheim. We didn't take time to get a map, those being the days before GPS maps on a cellphone. We followed the signs as best we could, seeing "Anaheim" occasionally, but were not in the right lane at each intersection. I foolishly stayed in the "fast lane" that had a much higher speed limit. It was fun in our 1969 Pontiac Lemans. We blew the tar out of it. Long story short there, we wasted at least 7 hours getting on track out of L.A. to a highway leading to Anaheim. Along the way we ended up in a slum district where people rode on the hood of our car, and some boys tried to remove our hubcaps while we were yet moving. We finally found an open gas station that resembled civilization, then asked a man on the street corner "How do we get to Anaheim?" He replied "You can't get there from here." He gestured directions to go to L.A. and basically start over.

The point I finally learned from that experience is to find out what is required beforehand so you know which path to enter. It won't be on the fast lane that most drivers want to be on. It will be on the "right" lane even if that's on the seemingly strange left side, in the middle of 6 lanes splitting off into two routes. You have to "know". To follow Jesus' way read His words and follow them. Choose life.
 
Last edited:
Sep 16, 2014
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#8
You know if you die. For the wages of sin IS death! Does that necessarily mean all die sinners? No. Prophets are killed by the sinners who die.

The path can ONLY be reached when you all finally listen to people like me when we say put down money and all things standing between us working TOGETHER! That's what it means to give all for Christ, which is the love of God manifested! He came to save all, even if it takes death for you to give it.


Ants understand this. Some are blind, some are strong, some only wander in search of new areas for food. Some still only gather food. One only lays eggs. All work TOGETHER! So until we humble ourselves and stop thinking we can improve upon the free nature around us, we will always enlarge the pit of hell.
I put out some fire ant bait that the ants found and took into the nest to feed the Queen ant. They all died. They do not know the way of life, easily deceived. Instead of money they take what they can't buy, not having money to choose what they will eat.
 
Sep 16, 2014
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#9
As for doing things you don't know are sin, there is the mercy of God standing in for you. He is committed to mercy under His New Covenant plan of grace upon all who trust Jesus. Christians have the Holy Spirit present at all times, Who teaches us to do right, not dwelling on what is wrong. He will not poke us in the spiritual eye accusing us of sin like the Devil does minute by minute. In summary, whatever is not of faith is sin. It takes a lifetime to learn, so simply listen to Him day by day. He'll get you through.
 
Sep 16, 2014
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#10
How do I rationalize my lifestyle?

That needs to be a whole thread.

In general, I have a conscience that pricks me. Jesus restored it. I had abused it many years deliberately sinning before meeting Him.

In addition, Holy Spirit is also always there too. That's two against one (my flesh man). I surrender! Lord help me!

He does. He has control of my restored conscience. I prayed he would do that. He answered a quick "YES". I do not want control of my conscience ever again! I know better than to try being king of my life. The first half was a disaster. That proved to me I was not at all qualified to run my life well pleasing to God.

Jesus forbids me from mourning over the past. It is forgiven!

My advice? At such a young age of 17 live righteously, and live prosperously in every arena of life on earth. OH, had I realized at 17 what this life on earth could have been.....

Live it fully with Jesus at your side.
 
Jun 4, 2014
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#11
I put out some fire ant bait that the ants found and took into the nest to feed the Queen ant. They all died. They do not know the way of life, easily deceived. Instead of money they take what they can't buy, not having money to choose what they will eat.
You miss the point my friend. It is about the teamwork displayed among them! But killing by deliberately setting a trap is indeed the work of men. And we all are caught.
 
H

Hoffco

Guest
#12
The narrow path that leads to eternal life is:,Repent of sin, Trust in Jesus and Obey Jesus in all we do. Love to all, Hoffco
 
Dec 1, 2014
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#13
I hold dearly the words my pastor told me when I was struggling with trying to be perfect: He said with a warm smile, "Utah, we love you because you're not perfect; because if you were perfect, you'd be pretty hard to get along with." :)

Remember beloved, God's grace is not cheap, but it is His good pleasure to give us the Kingdom. Luke 12:32.
 
T

Tintin

Guest
#14
We're not meant to try to be perfect before God, that's religion. We're meant to surrender everything we are. That's a different kind of challenge. One of utter submission. Giving up your everything to Him releases you to receive from He who made you and loves you.
 
P

phil112

Guest
#15
.......................How narrow is that path? ................
Think about it. A path is not a constructed road or trail. A path is worn by repeated travel. A broad path is used by many. A narrow path is used by few.
 

Bookends

Senior Member
Aug 28, 2012
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#16
“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 road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (*Matthew‬ *7‬:*13-14‬ NIV)

How narrow is that path? How do you know, brothers and sisters, that your lifestyle lines up with the narrow road that we are required to take?

What if the things you do are sinful and you don't know it?
How do you rationalize your lifestyle?
I don't think the narrow gate is referring to a life style, but Christ Himself. Jesus came bringing Life, and if we abide in Him He will abide in us. IF we are in Christ, then our life style will fall into place.

John 10:9
"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
 
O

OwenHeidenreich

Guest
#17
I don't think the narrow gate is referring to a life style, but Christ Himself. Jesus came bringing Life, and if we abide in Him He will abide in us. IF we are in Christ, then our life style will fall into place.

John 10:9
"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
The gate is Christ himself, but the path that leads to the gate is your life.
 
O

OwenHeidenreich

Guest
#18
In short, very short, the Shepherd is interested in whether you are of the Good, or the Evil. All His ideas of entrance are like that, white or black. By faith or by empirical evidence. Repented of sin or still given over to sin. Following Him or going around Him. Choosing spiritual life, or still choosing death in all it's forms.
I am a strong believer in this "black and white, no grey area" view. I still run into problems with this view though because say I go to walmart, is that evil or good?


But the reason I ask this question about the narrow path is because I see many christians in this world who are very active in their church, they believe in Christ they, avoid things they know are clearly sinful, da da da da da.

However, what they do in private, when they are at home, may not be Christ like. they play video games, watch netflix, and those two things I repeatedly identify as not christ like, at opposition to God. I see anything that is not directly for God and his kingdom as evil.

Loving GOD with ALL your HEART MIND SOUL STRENGTH. ALL.

Not trying to be perfect, but being made perfect by spending time with God.
 

1joseph

Senior Member
Dec 14, 2014
590
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#19
I am a strong believer in this "black and white, no grey area" view. I still run into problems with this view though because say I go to walmart, is that evil or good?


But the reason I ask this question about the narrow path is because I see many christians in this world who are very active in their church, they believe in Christ they, avoid things they know are clearly sinful, da da da da da.

However, what they do in private, when they are at home, may not be Christ like. they play video games, watch netflix, and those two things I repeatedly identify as not christ like, at opposition to God. I see anything that is not directly for God and his kingdom as evil.

Loving GOD with ALL your HEART MIND SOUL STRENGTH. ALL.

Not trying to be perfect, but being made perfect by spending time with God.
Owen, by your reasoning do you feel free or in bondage?
 
K

kennethcadwell

Guest
#20
It is very narrow, for the only way to get there is through faith,love, and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Some people say believe only.....Jesus says he that hears and does is a believer, a hearer only is not.

Some people say believe only.....Jesus says repent of your sins or you will perish.

Some people say believe only.....Jesus says confess and not deny Him before others, for if you deny Him you will be denied salvation in heaven

Some people say believe only......Jesus says love your neighbor as yourself, if you hate your neighbor the truth is not in you.

The list can go on, if we have a question about how we are to walk as a believer we need to go to our Lord to see what He said. Many want to go by Paul, but salvation is not through Paul's gospel or one's interpretation of what Paul said. For he himself said he can not preach another gospel or another Jesus then what was already taught.