Matthew 7:13-18, Luke 6:43-49

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. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

Matthew 7:13-8

43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Luke 6:43-49

I talk with many people.  I have sat in many homes.  I have presided over many funerals and the passage today we are considering from Matthew comes to my mind so many times.  Jesus clearly says “Enter by the narrow gate” and the “way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few”. Ouch.  I have concern.

I believe fully that if you are reading this it is providential.  God, through His Spirit wants you to hear and fully grasp the reality, weight, warning, and hope of Jesus’ truth.  The gate of salvation is singular and found only in Christ.  Not Buddha, not Muhammad, not by works, not by worldly success, only Jesus.  

It terrifies me to think about the number of people I personally know and love that either are pursuing a broad gate or are unwilling to walk the “way that is hard that leads to life”.  Again I have sat with many and witnessed first hand odd ideas, hard hearts, and blinded eyes toward Jesus.  I have heard self justifications for paths in life walked that certainly were not Christ’s leading. I have presided over funerals in which I had deep concerns about the eternal consequences for individuals I greatly cared for. You think I am being too harsh in my Biblical point of view.  I have been responsible for the church taking criticism for things I felt convicted were Biblical but in the personal opinion of some were wrong. I understand if you disagree with me but I want you to consider Jesus’ Words before you grow frustrated with what I am about to write.  

Let me be brutally honest.  A few years back at MCBC God, through His Spirit, was working in a strong way in the hearts of some in the church.  He was working in the hearts of those whom had not yet made a profession of faith in Christ.  Those who had not yet chosen to enter through the “narrow gate”.  I spoke at length with these individuals and one after one they willingly acknowledged the “narrow gate” of Christ Jesus.  Personally I was so excited for them and had so much hope for the days to come for them.  If I remember correctly I was able to baptize around 15 on a sunny early spring afternoon in some very cold water! 

Here is my concern a few years later.  After accepting and walking through the narrow gate only a very few now are willing to walk the “way that is hard that leads to life.” I see several from that group whose fruit is questionable at best.  Many who I baptized that day were young but had parents who also professed to me the narrow gate.  Unfortunately few of those I baptized along with their parents are active in any form of gospel ministry or resemble, in my opinion, a willingness to walk a path that leads to life. I read Jesus’ Words and I am concerned.  

I write this today not to condemn.  I am not the judge, God is.  I do though write to encourage and warn you because the days God gives us to live are numbered.  I want to leave you with this last thought?  Have you entered the narrow gate and are you pursuing a “way that is hard that is leading to life”? I would encourage you to spend some time in prayer with this text, these questions, and your convictions.