It is a fact that throughout one’s life many “doors” are presented for one to choose to go through. As one will discover, some “doors” will lead to opportunity for personal growth and well being – while other “doors” will lead to despair and possibly destruction. What we are then faced with is making the decision as to which [door] to go through. Often the doors that we choose to go through are the ones that we believe are the “safest” – especially if we see others going through them. But have you ever considered that the door everyone else is going through may in fact be the wrong choice? In Matthew 7:13-14 we read of two passageways: 1) the straight gate, 2) the broad gate. The Scripture states,
“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.”
Throughout the Scriptures we find three foundational truths concerning entering the straight gate [door].
First, the path to eternal life and heaven is very narrow. Jesus stated in John 10:9,
“I am the door.”
He also stated in John 14:6,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The Lord God is very clear in His Word that there is no other [door] (that is, no other way, plan, or method) to receive salvation [eternal life] apart from faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Calling upon the name of Jesus Christ is the way to enter the door of salvation.
Acts 4:12 states,
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
And Ephesians 2:8-9 states,
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Second, the path to eternal condemnation and hell is very broad. Man, through his own humanistic ways has attempted to avert “the true door” to not only justify himself in order that he may attain eternal life – but to also declare that he can live life in any manner of choosing without fear of any consequences. Man’s immorality and disregard for God’s ways is just as blatant today as it was in the times of Israel when it was recorded, “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” [Judges 21:25b]. But then we find from Scriptures that the “broad way,” a way that offers “any god,” any choice of standard for morality or ethical conduct, will only lead one to destruction.
Proverbs 14:12 states,
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Third, we must now address the “narrow way“. When one enters through the “straight and narrow gate” unto eternal life, the door is to be shut to self-will, self-pleasure, immorality, and misconduct. A born again child of God is to choose to walk the “narrow way” – the Divinely appointed way that guides and directs us in our service and conduct [morally, ethically, religiously, and in spiritual exercise].
Luke 9:3 states,
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
For only then will we be able to truly enjoy the abundant life found in Jesus Christ, and to be able to bear spiritual fruit. If we choose to enter back into the “broad way“, having first entered through the door of salvation, we do so in rebellion against a most Holy God.
Matthew 6:24 states,
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [worldly gain].”
If you have never entered Christ’s door unto salvation [eternal life], let it be understood that the [door] may one day be eternally shut to you – [because] of your unbelief and/or your attempt to get into heaven of your own accord. If you have not trusted in Jesus Christ to save you, why not trust him today; for there is no other way [no other door] unto the Father but through His Son Jesus Christ.
