01.22. The Sermon on the Mount (30)
The Sermon on the Mount (30) The Broad and the Narrow Way
’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: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ (Matthew 7:13-14) Only Two Possibilities The illustration is simple and easy to understand: there are only two gates, two ways, two groups and two destinies for all mankind. It is not said directly what the two gates and ways mean. But the two ultimate destinies to which they lead - either destruction or life are clear. None can doubt the seriousness of these well-known words. To start with there is a decision. The Lord calls for a decision to enter in at the strait gate and walk in the narrow way of obedience that leads to life. It is much easier to follow the masses through the wide gate on the broad way of disobedience, but it is disastrous to do so because this leads to destruction! The word used for ’destruction’ in this passage signifies eternal damnation. The Way of Discipleship: following Jesus The Lord’s counsel is: ’Enter ye in at the strait gate.’ He says this following the warning about the broad way and on to explain, ’Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’
We see in this that everybody is invited to enter in at the narrow gate. The way of discipleship, however, is ’narrow’ because it is a way of self-denial and surrender, as well as being full of opposition that may even bring persecution. But it is the entrance unto life. The Lord already has said in Matthew 5:20, ’Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom heaven.’ Later Paul and Barnabas exhorted the believers in Minor Asia ’that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God’ (Acts 14:22). In Luke 13:24 the Lord says only, ’Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.’ The warning about the broad way is omitted there. This emphasizes the seriousness of the invitation to His disciples.
We must always remember in the Sermon on the Mount that it does not yet speak of the gospel of grace but of the personal decision to follow the Lord as a faithful disciple. The Lord Jesus does not present the grace of God and the way of salvation, but human responsibility and the way of discipleship. The grace of God together with man’s responsibility form the two ’lanes’ of the one way. For on the other side there is only one way, which is the way leading to eternal damnation. The disciple’s personal responsibility could not possibly be stressed in a more serious way.
’Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ These words of the Lord are bitter for the flesh, but they express in the clearest manner the seriousness of the situation. The decision to be taken has eternal consequences. This is why we must not look for a conflict between these verses and Matthew 11:30 : ’For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ The natural, unregenerate man is without strength; he is ungodly, a sinner and an enemy of God (according to Romans 5:6-10). For such a one to follow Christ is an indescribable hardship. This is why he needs the love, grace and mercy of God to draw him. In contrast, it is easy for the born again man to follow his Master. He has received a new nature from God, and this has the sole desire to do His will, although the old nature remains and continues to resist the new one. The Broad Way
It is axiomatic for the natural man (that is a man without new life from God) to go in at the wide gate and walking in the broad way. On this way there are no restrictions. For everything is allowed on this way. But it ends in eternal destruction. We see it today just as the Lord describes then: many are blinded and misled by the inviting, wide entrance. They shut their eyes in respect of their ultimate destination. Generally one does not board a train or plane without knowing exactly when and where the journey is meant to end. But when it comes to the most important journey, the journey of life, multitudes do not even think about the end or their destiny, and lull themselves into a false sense of security.
Let us remember again that the subject here is not the gospel but the responsibility of the disciple, the follower of Christ. The danger also exists for him to be allured by the apparent comforts of life on to the broad way. Let no one who confesses the Lord fool himself by thinking that his manner of life does not matter much and that ’the main thing is faith’. There is not a single word in Scripture to support the view that living in sin, that is to walk in the broad way, will end in glory. Actually the Word of God says unmistakably that walking such a way will lead to damnation (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5; Php 3:18-19). From this we must not conclude that born again Christians can lose his salvation. Scripture speaks of men saved by the grace of God, for we read: ’No man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.’ (John 10:29). But in respect of our testimony it must be proved to be genuine by our way of life in following the Lord. Such are the two sides of our relationship to God. Together they make up the divine seal of 2 Timothy 2:19, ’The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’
Therefore the Lord’s invitation in these verses is very serious. It is addressed to everybody who confesses the Lord.