Broad Path, Narrow Path

[Studyman]

Matt. 7:
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.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Here is a warning from the mouth of the very Word's of my Savior, the Christ Jesus.

It is written:

John 3:
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

So according to this Jesus, if we want to enter this Heaven that He Came down from, we must believe in Him. This is the central tenant, the very foundation of the Gospel of Christ. I think few would argue that point.

So this would also include "believing" what HE says. YES?

John 6:
61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

So I believe I have established a Biblical fact, that according to Jesus, we are "believe" His Word's if we want to enter His Kingdom.

So this brings us back to the warning He gave about the existence or 2 Paths. One which is wide ( spread out, "flat" also to mold, fabricate, form, see GK) and broad (wide, spacious ( see the GK) and the other "strait" (narrow from obstacles standing about) and narrow ( to crowd, afflict, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble. see GK)

Jesus said to "Strive to Enter" the narrow Path that FEW follow, as opposed to the wide Path that "MANY follow.

I hope to begin a conversation about this warning as it comes from the Very Christ which holds our salvation in His Hands.

To begin, I ask myself. Why would "Many" who are interested in entering the Christ's Heaven, follow a Path that leads to destruction? But I think Jesus answers my question in the next verse. "False Prophets".

So I can presume those religious leaders of the "broad" Path are not declaring "Come follow us on the "Path" to destruction", I bet the are telling falsehoods and declaring "Come follow us on the Path to eternity".

This would certainly explain the urgent warning.

So when Jesus began to further His Fathers Gospel, was there a religion present that "Many" followed which was to lead to this same great Heaven that Jesus came down from? And if so who were they, and what did Jesus say about them?

I'm interested in hearing any input from members here as to their understanding of this urgent warning from our Savior that we are tasked to "believe in.

I look forward to your participation.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Matt. 7: Enter ye in at the strait [NARROW] gate ... Because strait [NARROW] is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

This must be tied into other sayings of Christ in order to be properly understood and interpreted. Particularly two sayings:

I AM THE DOOR [THE GATE INTO THE SHEEPFOLD]
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9 see vv 1-11)

I AM THE WAY
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. ( John 14:6)

So the narrow gate and the narrow way are Christ Himself, and His finished work of redemption. There is no other way to come to the Father and be saved, as confirmed in this verse (Acts 4:12): Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

[Studyman]

This must be tied into other sayings of Christ in order to be properly understood and interpreted. Particularly two sayings:

I AM THE DOOR [THE GATE INTO THE SHEEPFOLD]
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9 see vv 1-11)

I AM THE WAY
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. ( John 14:6)

So the narrow gate and the narrow way are Christ Himself, and His finished work of redemption. There is no other way to come to the Father and be saved, as confirmed in this verse (Acts 4:12): Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

I believe we established that HIS Word's are life as He said. I guess I was hoping for some conversation about why He warns of another path that the "many" follow. I like the idea of using other scriptures, that was how we established HIS WORD is life, He is the Way.

Your addition of scriptures to confirm even more of this truth is great.

But Jesus did warn of another Path, that is easy to follow, that "Many" are on. Shall we not also believe in His Warnings?

Who is promoting this broad path with the "many"?

2 Cor. 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

So how does a man know which "way" is of the Christ, and which way is of those who claim to be of the Christ?

 

[Blain]

Jesus did say the way is narrow and that few follow it and that many take the way of the wide that leads to destruction and it is true not only in the sense of the kingdom that it leads to but in the way people tend to be in general. He was speaking to and of both that generation and ours, it is typical to want to take the easy way and do as we please but devotion and dedication leads one to live against the grain and follow him. The path we follow requires us to be willing to lay down our desires and take on his, we lose many freedoms of sorts but we gain everything in return.

It's easy to want to be lazy and do as we please earthly pleasures are tempting and we want the freedom to do what we want and many view our faith as little more than rules of right and wrong and sin vs being pure but personally I wish he would take my free will and I could be his mindless puppet. As strange as that sounds I have found that freedom of free will and making my own choices and desires often times backfires and leads me into sin even if I have good intentions.

Also think of this, there are so many spiritual beliefs and religions out there especially so in the 21st century, you can make up a religion and it isn't hard to get it to be declared as a actual religion and people will flock to a religion that goes with their desires. There is even a religion in which people just have sex all the time as a form of worship and purifying the body and soul. Yes broad is the way to destruction indeed

 

[Nehemiah6]

Who is promoting this broad path with the "many"?

ALL false religions ans religionists are promoting the broad path.

The broad path is people attempting to earn entry into Heaven by their own efforts (good deeds or good works).

At the same time they include idolatry in their religions, whether False Christianity, Paganism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, etc.

They are sincere but sincerely wrong.

 

[Lanolin]

Before Jesus appeared on earth and even later there were others that claimed to be Christ/Messiah and would gain followers after themselves but turn out to be false.

Some were like Bar Kokhba..there is a whole list of them on wikipedia. Even Mahummad would claim to be a prophet and anointed by God. Most recent jewish orhtodox had a thing about schneerson. But none of these so called messiahs or christs or spiritual gurus ever rose from the dead.

Us christians know that Jesus is Christ the Lord and by no other name are we saved.

 

[JohnRH]

So when Jesus began to further His Fathers Gospel, was there a religion present that "Many" followed which was to lead to this same great Heaven that Jesus came down from? And if so who were they, and what did Jesus say about them?

The "many" isn't a reference to any specific "religion present" that was to lead to heaven; it's a reference to all who die in their sins. A lot of unsaved people live irreligious lives and then die. The "many" includes them too.

 

[Adstar]

Matt. 7:
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.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Here is a warning from the mouth of the very Word's of my Savior, the Christ Jesus.

It is written:

John 3:
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

So according to this Jesus, if we want to enter this Heaven that He Came down from, we must believe in Him. This is the central tenant, the very foundation of the Gospel of Christ. I think few would argue that point.

So this would also include "believing" what HE says. YES?

John 6:
61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

So I believe I have established a Biblical fact, that according to Jesus, we are "believe" His Word's if we want to enter His Kingdom.

So this brings us back to the warning He gave about the existence or 2 Paths. One which is wide ( spread out, "flat" also to mold, fabricate, form, see GK) and broad (wide, spacious ( see the GK) and the other "strait" (narrow from obstacles standing about) and narrow ( to crowd, afflict, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble. see GK)

Jesus said to "Strive to Enter" the narrow Path that FEW follow, as opposed to the wide Path that "MANY follow.

I hope to begin a conversation about this warning as it comes from the Very Christ which holds our salvation in His Hands.

To begin, I ask myself. Why would "Many" who are interested in entering the Christ's Heaven, follow a Path that leads to destruction?

I think the Bible gives the answer..

Proverbs 14: KJV
12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Isaiah 55: KJV
8 "¶ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Most religons in this world conform to what man thinks is right.. Many denominations leave the simple Gospel and turn their religion into a works salvation religon and in doing so they fall away from the truth that saves..

 

[Studyman]

ALL false religions ans religionists are promoting the broad path.

The broad path is people attempting to earn entry into Heaven by their own efforts (good deeds or good works).

At the same time they include idolatry in their religions, whether False Christianity, Paganism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, etc.

They are sincere but sincerely wrong.

I like how you recognize, or seem to imply, that "all" false religions are the broad Path, and that "the Way of the Lord" is the Narrow Path. It does seem like Jesus is saying there are only 2 Paths.

Do you believe "doing" as the Christ instructed is trying to "earn" Salvation?

 

[Studyman]

I think the Bible gives the answer..

Proverbs 14: KJV
12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Isaiah 55: KJV
8 "¶ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Most religons in this world conform to what man thinks is right.. Many denominations leave the simple Gospel and turn their religion into a works salvation religon and in doing so they fall away from the truth that saves..

Very good additions to the conversation. The Broad path consisting of man made thoughts, religious doctrines and traditions, while the narrow Path being God's thoughts, Instruction and direction.

What do you mean by "works Salvation"?

 

[Studyman]

The "many" isn't a reference to any specific "religion present" that was to lead to heaven; it's a reference to all who die in their sins. A lot of unsaved people live irreligious lives and then die. The "many" includes them too.

I see what you are saying here. But it seems in Matt. 7 Jesus is specially speaking to and warning folks who are seeking Him. I really can't see where He is implying much about irreligious folks. He speaks abut judging, and how to treat a brother, and about the Law and Prophets. He says those "many" on the broad path are "going in there at". Is this not speaking about "life" and the path that leads to it? People who call Him Lord, Lord, etc.

Do have any evidence, I may have missed, that He is speaking about folks who are not even religious? And what does a false prophet do, if not teach falsehoods about the God he claims to represent?

Thank you for the reply, and please show me where you get the thought that He isn't warning specifically about religion.

 

[Hungry]

I contend that the “path” to salvation isn’t based on belief as much as connectivity. People worship theology opposed to deity. Reading a map doesn’t get you to your destination. It shows you the way but you have to make the journey. Rebirth is the first step, not the destination. The destination is physical death.

The path is narrow because people follow men, instead of God. Humans are pack animals happy to follow an alpha. If Christians would just shut up and listen in prayer rather than go on and on, in an attempt to impress God with their memory verses, they might be surprised that He loves to teach too. He actually enjoys explaining what the Scriptures mean in real time. He connects the dots so you don’t bounce around the Bible forcing square pegs into round holes.

All of the imagery provided; Christ is the Head, we are the Body; He is the Vine, we are the Branches. The hands are not disconnected from the Head. We are quickened, attached by the Holy Spirit, like the nervous system. This is how we communicate. Instead of hardwired, it is remote. Our ability to connect is dependent upon our “frequency”. Love, peace, kindness out of genuine concern for others, increases connectivity. This connectivity is how He reprograms our minds, teaching us the purposelessness of carnal living. Carnal living even professing the name of Christ, lacks connection. This is the broad path.

Desire no pleasure, no food, no comfort, even breath. Abandon all of your earthy hopes and dreams. Seek the Lord with every fibre of your vessel, and every thought in your head and He will find you.

 

[Studyman]

I contend that the “path” to salvation isn’t based on belief as much as connectivity. People worship theology opposed to deity. Reading a map doesn’t get you to your destination. It shows you the way but you have to make the journey. Rebirth is the first step, not the destination. The destination is physical death.

The path is narrow because people follow men, instead of God. Humans are pack animals happy to follow an alpha. If Christians would just shut up and listen in prayer rather than go on and on, in an attempt to impress God with their memory verses, they might be surprised that He loves to teach too. He actually enjoys explaining what the Scriptures mean in real time. He connects the dots so you don’t bounce around the Bible forcing square pegs into round holes.

All of the imagery provided; Christ is the Head, we are the Body; He is the Vine, we are the Branches. The hands are not disconnected from the Head. We are quickened, attached by the Holy Spirit, like the nervous system. This is how we communicate. Instead of hardwired, it is remote. Our ability to connect is dependent upon our “frequency”. Love, peace, kindness out of genuine concern for others, increases connectivity. This connectivity is how He reprograms our minds, teaching us the purposelessness of carnal living. Carnal living even professing the name of Christ, lacks connection. This is the broad path.

Desire no pleasure, no food, no comfort, even breath. Abandon all of your earthy hopes and dreams. Seek the Lord with every fibre of your vessel, and every thought in your head and He will find you.

I would agree for the most part. I think the journey, the struggle, the war we fight against the powers of the air, the wickedness in high places, which is our mind, is Holy.

I don't think people follow men so much. I think we all naturally trust our own mind, and follow it. When we find a man that agrees with our own mind, we follow them. But I don't think the problem is other deceitful minds, I think the problem is our own deceitful mind.

I am struck by the Greek definition of the word "strait". "narrow from obstacles standing about". Really the Way of the Lord is simple. He tells us to do something, and our reasonable service is to do it. Through this obedience He reveals His mind to us.

But there are so many obstacles in the way. The church are fathers attended. The great religious High Days revered by the world, our own greed, selfishness. Our natural hatred to God's definition of righteousness.

I like your last sentence. If we could just set aside our own thoughts, and the religious doctrines and traditions of the land we were born into, and just let the Word of God which became Flesh guide our footsteps. Yes, it will be a struggle for a time. But well worth the trust we place in Him.

At least that is my Faith.

Nice post. Thanks for the input.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

John 6:53 - "Except you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His Blood (i.e., the Cross, i.e., The Finished Work), you have no life in you," (presents the demand that caused "many of His Disciples to go back, and walk no more with Him" (John 6:66). It does the same presently! This Verse tells us the degree of believing that is required; it refers to the Cross being the total Object of one's belief; failing that, there is no Life in you.)

John 6:66 - From that time many of His Disciples went back, and walk no more with Him.

Sanctifying peace allows the Holy Spirit to deliver the Believer into the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ so Christ life is manifested through the Believer and are, therefore, victorious (It is His life that brings victory). (2 Cor. 4:11, Gal. 2:20-21, Romans 8:2,13, John 14:21). I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me (Who Jesus Is), and gave himself for me (What Jesus Has Done on the Cross for us where the victory was won). Gal. 2:20

JSM

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The works of any Believer is to fight the good fight of Faith. God will not accept anything else from any man or woman but faith (and praise) in His Son Jesus. The scripture says, "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASE, AND LISTEN TO HIM." God never said that about any Believer. Psalm 39:5 says, "...every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah." In other words we are all wretched and vile, daily. Anything and everything that is not Faith in Christ and Him Crucified is judge as iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23).

 

[JohnRH]

I see what you are saying here. But it seems in Matt. 7 Jesus is specially speaking to and warning folks who are seeking Him. I really can't see where He is implying much about irreligious folks. He speaks abut judging, and how to treat a brother, and about the Law and Prophets. He says those "many" on the broad path are "going in there at". Is this not speaking about "life" and the path that leads to it? People who call Him Lord, Lord, etc.

Do have any evidence, I may have missed, that He is speaking about folks who are not even religious? And what does a false prophet do, if not teach falsehoods about the God he claims to represent?

Thank you for the reply, and please show me where you get the thought that He isn't warning specifically about religion.

He was famous (4:24). Did the multitudes from Syria, Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea, and from beyond Jordan all have a unified religion? I've not heard of it. Example: the Pharisees and Sadducees were religiously opposed to each other.
What they had in common was sick, diseased, and demon-possessed people who were getting healed by Him.

 

[Adstar]

Very good additions to the conversation. The Broad path consisting of man made thoughts, religious doctrines and traditions, while the narrow Path being God's thoughts, Instruction and direction.

What do you mean by "works Salvation"?

Salvation is a gift offered by God which we can have if we believe Jesus and trust 100% in the Atonement He secured by His death on the cross for our salvation..

We are not saved by our efforts at avoiding sinning, Our efforts at doing good deeds, Our efforts at taking part in religious ceremonies. Or our efforts to observe days..

 

[Studyman]

Salvation is a gift offered by God which we can have if we believe Jesus and trust 100% in the Atonement He secured by His death on the cross for our salvation..

We are not saved by our efforts at avoiding sinning, Our efforts at doing good deeds, Our efforts at taking part in religious ceremonies. Or our efforts to observe days..

That is a very popular, almost universal belief of the catholic church and all her hundreds of daughters. A very popular religious doctrine follow by "many" no doubt.

But the Word of God says:

Ex. 20: 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Matt. 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

2 Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from lawlessness.

Matt. 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Jesus walked in His Fathers Holy Days, and so did His disciples. So we can expect this is a part of the "narrow path". The "many" who followed the religions of the land created their own High days and commandments.

Surely we must consider the "walk" of our Savior when determining what Path to "enter".

 

[p_rehbein]

Look to the thoughts of some others on this.............

John Gill's

(excerpt)

For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction;
so that the one may be easily known from the other. There is no difficulty in finding out, or entering in at, or walking in the way of sin, which leads to eternal ruin. The gate of carnal lusts, and worldly pleasures, stands wide open,

and many there be which go in thereat;
even all men in a state of nature; the way of the ungodly is "broad", smooth, easy, and every way agreeable to the flesh; it takes in a large compass of vices, and has in it abundance of company; but its end is destruction. Our Lord seems to allude to the private and public roads, whose measures are fixed by the Jewish canons; which say F16, that


Matthew 7:13 Commentary - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

ANOTHER

These verses lead into Christ's teaching on false prophets. From its context, it appears that Jesus says that false ministers will neither acknowledge or teach the narrow way that leads to life, the narrow way that leads to persecution. Instead, they will do just what God shows the Old Testament false prophets did: They will teach "peace, peace"—the smooth, easy, and broad way.

In other words, they will teach that Christians need make no sacrifices in their obedience to God. It is so interesting that, in the last few years in the church, so many things have been liberalized. Are we getting away from the straight and the narrow, the difficult and the sacrificial way?

Matthew 7:13 (KJV) - Forerunner Commentary

Matthew Henry's Commentary

The way to eternal life is narrow. We are not in heaven as soon as we are got through the strait gate. Self must be denied, the body kept under, and corruptions mortified. Daily temptations must be resisted; duties must be done. We must watch in all things, and walk with care; and we must go through much tribulation.

Matthew 7:13 Commentaries: "Enter through the narrow gate ...

 

[posthuman]

Salvation is a gift offered by God which we can have if we believe Jesus and trust 100% in the Atonement He secured by His death on the cross for our salvation..

We are not saved by our efforts at avoiding sinning, Our efforts at doing good deeds, Our efforts at taking part in religious ceremonies. Or our efforts to observe days..

That is a very popular, almost universal belief of the catholic church and all her hundreds of daughters. A very popular religious doctrine follow by "many" no doubt.

you might want to re-check what catholicism actually teaches..