Phil Rowlands

Hello, my friends!

Today, I'd like to chat with you about an important teaching from Jesus that impacts our daily lives as believers. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus presents us with a choice between two paths – a narrow gate that leads to life, and a wide gate that leads to destruction. Now, before getting into it, let me clarify something crucial: this isn't about salvation. Jesus isn't talking about how to get saved here. Throughout the entire Sermon on the Mount, He's addressing His disciples – those who have already put their faith in Him. Rather, this is about how we live out our faith day by day.

Friends, as believers, we stand at a crossroads each day. We have the choice to walk the narrow path of obedience to Christ, or the broad road that caters to our fleshly desires. The broad road looks appealing, doesn't it? It's where the majority of people seem to be heading. It allows us to indulge our pride, seek revenge when we're wronged, foster impure thoughts, and freely criticise others. But Jesus warns us that this path, though popular, leads to destruction.

Now, what exactly does Jesus mean by “destruction” here? The Greek word used is “apoleia”, which means to destroy, ruin, or cause to perish. But don't worry – this isn't referring to losing our salvation. Remember, our salvation is secure in Christ's finished work on the cross. What's at stake here is our inheritance – our opportunity to reign with Christ in His kingdom. You see, the Bible teaches that at the end of both roads, there's a judgment for believers. It's called the Judgment Seat of Christ, where our works will be evaluated.

Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians 3:15: “If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” This is what Jesus is warning about – the potential loss of reward, not salvation. If we consistently choose to walk according to the flesh, everything we're building in this life could be reduced to ashes. It's a sobering thought, isn't it?

But there's good news! Jesus also speaks of a narrow gate that leads to life. This isn't about gaining eternal life – we already have that through faith in Christ. Rather, it's about experiencing the fullness of the life Christ died to give us. It's about walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh. It's about allowing Jesus to be Lord of our lives and experiencing the supernatural power of His kingdom at work in and through us.

Friends, this narrow path may seem difficult and lonely at times. We might face persecution or feel out of step with the world around us. But it leads to an incredible destination. Peter encourages us in 2 Peter 1:10-11: “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Imagine that – an abundant entrance into Christ's kingdom, where we'll share in His reign!

Now, as we stand at this crossroads, Jesus warns us about another danger – false prophets. These are individuals who come disguised as sheep but are inwardly ravenous wolves. They stand at the junction, urging people onto the broad road. How can we recognise them? Jesus says, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16).

Interestingly, Jesus isn't primarily talking about their behaviour here. These false prophets might appear outwardly righteous. They might even perform miracles and cast out demons in Jesus' name. The fruit we need to examine is their teaching. Do they encourage people to take the easy, popular path? Do they avoid difficult truths in favour of feel-good messages? Do they use the Bible to build their own ministries rather than expounding its full counsel?

It's important to note that these false teachers often say a lot of right things, but there are huge gaps in their teaching. They may major on minors and minor on majors. There's often an imbalance, with an overemphasis on things like healing, prosperity, and success. Now, don't get me wrong – these are good things that God can and does provide. But when you read the New Testament epistles, you'll find that they're not the prominent themes. The apostles focused more on our new life in Christ and walking in the Spirit.

These false prophets often encourage people to use their faith to get things, conditioning believers to think that's the normal Christian life. They reduce the Christian experience to a focus on temporal things, rather than the eternal perspective the Bible emphasises. And here's the tricky part – it takes time to realise that their teaching doesn't work as they say it will. Fruit takes time to develop and be examined.

Jesus gives us a sobering picture in Matthew 7:22-23: “Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” The word “knew” here is the Greek “ginosko”, which implies intimate, personal knowledge. These individuals may have done impressive things in Jesus' name, but they never truly walked in close relationship with Him.

So, what does it mean to take the narrow path? It means doing the will of the Father. Throughout the Gospels, we see this emphasis on obedience to God's will. In the Lord's Prayer, we're taught to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Paul echoes this in his letters, encouraging believers to discern and do God's will (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 5:17).

But here's the beautiful truth – we're not left to walk this path in our own strength. Remember, Jesus didn't come to give us a new set of rules to follow. He came to give us life! The Christian life is about Jesus living in and through us as we walk by faith. We've received grace that empowers us for this journey.

Think about the parable of the prodigal son. He was already a son, already in his father's house. But he chose to take the broad road, squandering his inheritance in the far country. Yet when he returned home, his father welcomed him with open arms, saying, “For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:24). What a beautiful picture of God's grace! Even if we've wandered onto the broad road, we can always return to the narrow path.

Friends, each day we stand at this crossroads. The broad road beckons, promising ease and pleasure. False teachers may urge us down this path, offering a watered-down gospel that tickles our ears. But Jesus calls us to the narrow way – a path of obedience, self-denial, and intimate fellowship with Him. Yes, it may be challenging at times, but it leads to life in all its fullness.

As we walk this path, we're not striving in our own strength. We're simply allowing the life of Christ to flow through us, empowered by His grace. It's a supernatural life, where we experience the reality of God's kingdom here and now. And at the end of this road? We'll hear those beautiful words: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21).

Friends, let's remember that this teaching isn't about examining ourselves for salvation. It's about examining the fruit of those who would lead us astray. It's about being discerning in a world full of voices claiming to speak for God. As James warns us, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). Teaching God's Word is a weighty responsibility, and we must be careful both in how we teach and who we allow to teach us.

In our walk with Christ, it's crucial that we don't just focus on the outward appearance or impressive displays of power. Remember, Jesus said that many will claim to have done mighty works in His name, but He will declare He never knew them. What matters most is our intimate relationship with Christ. Do we truly know Him, and are we known by Him? Are we walking in obedience to the Father's will, not just hearing the Word but doing it?

As we navigate this narrow path, let's keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. He is our ultimate example of what it means to do the Father's will. He said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). May we have the same heart, finding our sustenance and satisfaction in doing God's will.

Be blessed today my brothers and sisters. May we choose daily to enter through the narrow gate, to walk the path of obedience to our Father's will. May we be discerning about the voices we listen to, always examining the fruit of their teaching. And may we experience the abundant life that Jesus promises – a life of intimate fellowship with Him, where His power flows through us to impact the world around us. Remember, Jesus is enough. If we have Him, we truly have everything we need.

Phil