The narrow road

I have some questions about this verse in Matthew 7.

Why is the way to Christ narrow? Why are there few that find it? Why is the broader and easier way so well travelled?

On a practical level, how can a young person walk on this narrow road? Does it involved forsaking all old worldly pursuits and following Christ completely?

One of the issues I often wrestle with is complete commitment to Christ and I am starting to question whether or not such a road can be walked in today's society. Any reassurance would be welcomed.

Matthew 7:13-14

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Do you honestly believe that today’s society is, too hard to rise above when the Holy Spirit is available for guidance?

If you believe this out the gate or stay on the fence, you are setting yourself up to fail.

I concur that today’s world appears to have more ways to drag you down BUT, it also has more reasons to recognize you are in some deep doo doo and need help. Help that only ONE can give.

Romans 11:14

1.) Sinful pride and wanting have and go one's own way...
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

2.) Only possible through complete surrender to Christ and being empowered by His Spirit...
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

3.) On a practical level, God's way is always the best way...
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

4.) It's not an easy road today. It never was. Just remember what Jesus did for you. We worry about losing such small things compared to what He gave for us. We are the ones who profit when we say, 'I surrender all'...
Luke
14:26 If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]?

Just remember the eternal reward. Keep your eye on the prize, brother.

This is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Hellsong is more of the wide-road crowd though. All these contemporary christian musicians are very worldly. Remind me of justin bieber actually.

Anything modern is devil music according to some.

Christ Himself is the Gate, who also calls Himself "the Door". For anyone to be saved his/her faith must be exclusively in Christ and in His finished work of salvation. Which means that any one who seeks to establish his own righteousness by good works is excluded. And anyone who tries to find another way to God and Heaven is excluded. It means that the New Birth is a necessity, and obedience to Christ is a necessity.
Because Christ demands that we are to forsake all and follow Him.
Because it is the way of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and includes the pleasures of sin for a season.
By repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ a young person (or any person) will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And it is by the power of the Spirit that one can live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
Yes it does. Repentance is a total change of direction, heart, mind, and will, and total submission to God and Christ.
Today's society is no worse than society in the days of Noah before the Flood. So a Christian must ignore societal demands and norms, as well as the philosophies of the world, and let the Bible be his sole source of wisdom, and Christ his sole source of strength. Immerse yourself in the Word of God, and you will have all the answers you need.

The narrow way is coming through Christ's obedience (not ours) / death / and resurrection into the new birth.. Too many reject that free gift.
Read Romans 5.

As we read in John 14:6 There's only one way. A narrow gate doesn't allow for "excess baggage" to enter through, it's narrow, many people find it hard to give up their old ways.

People have a tendency to follow the crowd. Others might have to see before they believe. Perhaps they just like the "feel" of the easy way, they're content the way they are. Or it could simply be pride and hardness of heart.

Exactly for the reason it says, it's broad and it's easy... the broader way has many ways but are all man made, people can choose which one to follow according to what they like or perhaps what one doesn't deal with their sin. There's no self denial, no sacrifice of own desires. Though most make absolutely no sense to a sober mind, the whole world is under the influence of wickedness and are blinded to truth.

Pray-one on one time with God. Read the Word. Fellowship with strong believers not lukewarm. Being a doer of what Jesus said. Remaining in grace, not mixing law and grace- the wine skin will burst. Being in the world but not conforming to it. Being careful of what enters into our temple.

I would say yes but i think each Christian knows in their heart of hearts if a pursuit should be forsaken for the cause of Christ.

Philippians 3:7-8
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Philippians 1:6

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

God bless you.

Hi RoastAndTea, You have such a sweet spirit, I've read enough of your posts to say that and believe you are sincere and humbly seeking to walk the narrow road. Either we need the outstretched arm of Almighty to deliver us from Egypt, or we are wandering in the desert...take your pick. Most Christians today think that we get a free ride, ticket punched...get all the blessings and the Jews get all the curses, but not so fast. Scripture tells us we are of "one LORD, one faith, one baptism;" We need to crawl before we walk, walk before we run. Keep growing in the Word believing, He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus Christ.

A thought, the New Testament makes so much more sense after you've studied the Old (especially Leviticus). Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Im guessing you either didnt watch the video I linked with documented proof. OR you just got no spiritual discernment.

Its not a big surprise taken all the other false doctrines you hold to like annihilationism.

I was dealing with this very much recently since I’m a new Christian. The various cliques don’t help too - esp. those that push fear “you must abandon everything, everyone instantly otherwise you’re doooomed...”
I would recommend studying through Romans, esp. chapters 5-8, and 12

Chapter 12 helped me tremendously.
I wept with tears once I studied through Romans because it made the “gate” much more defined. When you learn of the value of the free gift and what is requested in return. It set me free from fear, which will also enable me to be a better witness.

I posted this in another thread:


“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/rom.12.1-2.niv

Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?



William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army. Once told that certain kinds of music were too much “of the world” to be used in evangelistic meetings, he replied, “Not allowed to sing that tune or this tune? Indeed! Secular music, do you say? Belongs to the devil, does it? Well, if it did, I would plunder him of it. Every note and every strain and every harmony is divine and belongs to us.”
At another time Booth discovered that a popular Christian chorus of the day took it’s tune from a music-hall ditty, “Champagne Charlie is My Name.” His response? “That settles it. Why should the devil have all the best tunes?”
Source: reportes in Chris Armstrong, Christian History Magazine Newsletter 10/1/2003 citing Ian Bradley, author of Abide with Me: The World of Victorian Hymns

The narrow road is JESUS by faith PLUS NOTHING for eternal salvation

If you do not believe this.....ask the Plenteous in NUMBER that come before his throne....

a. Claiming him as LORD
b. Fully expecting to enter based upon what they had done in his name

That gospel saves NO ONE and MOST peddle it in some form or fashion....

William Booth was a dumb man. "plunder the devil" Bwahahaha. Should Christians be involved in every kind of sin and wickedness to "plunder the devil" of it?
Maybe thats what their doing. Maybe thats why Christianity is on its last legs here in the west. One step away from becoming a pagan mystic religion.

I started a christian stripclub because hey, why should the devil have all the best dancing? All dancing and moving belongs to us.

Just retarded logic. Sad excuse making. If you're going to listen to demonic music do it, but dont try to christianize it and make excuses, thats pathetic.

And I suppose God Spell, Mannford man, The New Seekers, Bob Dylan or Denny Correl never ministered to you? I like to stand, clap my hands and make a joyful noise to the Lord! If you want to hear dirges and funeral music that's your prerogative.

Salvation Army >>>> faith plus works.

William Booth good evidence tied to Freemasonry.