What is “the narrow way”? It’s something Jesus references in the sermon on the Mount…
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)
We’ve heard that text referenced in many sermons from many preachers over the years, but what is it? What does the narrow way look like? I have a list that might help explain it. Try to imagine the way getting narrower and narrower as you go through this series of questions…
How many people could have a Bible but don’t bother owning one?How many people have a Bible but don’t read it?How many read their Bible but don’t study it in any great detail?How many study the Bible but don’t really believe what it says?How many believe the Bible but don’t apply it to their lives?How many apply the Bible but not consistently?
I can go on but I think you get the point.
And I don’t want you to take from that list that this is the only way to decide who is in the narrow way. I just used the Bible as a launching pad. You could use something else. Instead of starting with owning a Bible, start with being thankful, loving people, singing hymns. Basically take any aspect of the Christian life, anything the Bible says about the people of God, and ask yourself: Could I do it but don’t? If I do, am I doing it whole heartedly? If I am, am I consistent? And so on.
You might look at that list and find yourself in the “have a Bible but don’t read it” category. Okay. You’re not stuck there; move on to the next level, which is “read it but don’t study it.” Don’t stay there, either! Move on to the next level, and the next, and the next. You know what that is? That’s walking the narrow way. That’s getting better every day. That’s the goal.
That’s the narrow way: It describes a people who have completely and totally given their lives to Jesus. It’s strait and narrow, Jesus says, but not impossible. It’s only impossible if you try to have the world in one hand and Jesus in the other. The way is far too narrow for all that extra baggage. Leave it behind, just follow Jesus, and the way won’t even feel that restricting at all.