“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: (14) because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life — and few there be that find it.” [Mt.7:13-14]
“For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow His steps…” [1Pe.2:21]
The words of Jesus in the first text above were spoken near to the end of His sermon on the mount. They are words that are obviously divinely used to set the stage for our drawing a mental picture of the coming day of judgment. The gospel (or, good news) of the glory, only, of the Lord Jesus Christ is replete with wonderful statements that describe a true believer avoiding an unfavorable personal experience in their individual judgment. Jn.5:24, Ro.8:1 and 1Jn.4:17 to name just three texts that prove this to be true.
It is obvious also from the context of the Mt.7:13-14 text that in that day of final judgment there are going to be some eye opening and foreboding realities. There will be many who thought they would be favorably received by our Lord – only to find out that they were wrong! Jesus describes the sad event from vs.21-23. He said, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And – in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then I will profess unto them – I never knew you.” [I.e. lit., intimately know them like a father knows his children, or a bridegroom knows his bride] Then, with foreboding finality He says: “Depart from me – ye that work iniquity.”
Sadly, it is these persons that prove to be examples of what God’s Word declares as a warning from Pr.16:25. Which text tells us: “There is a way that seems right unto a man – but the end thereof are the ways of death!” These persons that Jesus refers to here believed that they were living and walking through this fallen world as being true believers and ministers of the Lord. Their profession indicates that they regarded Jesus as being their Lord! Nevertheless, their lives were not being lived according to the Father’s will. This fact should make one stop and think!
How do we truly know that our lives are fulfilling the Biblical description of those whom Jesus refers to as those that, will do the Father’s will and enter into the Kingdom of heaven? The all important descriptive phrase in vs.21as: “he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven”. The answer to how we can know that we are living and doing the will of the Father — centers squarely upon the person and work of the Holy Spirit of God. Why? Because it is the Spirit that bears witness with our spirit “that we are the children of God – and if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ”! For“…the things of God knoweth no man – but the Spirit of God.” And “As many as are led by the Spirit of God – these are the sons (or, the children) of God!”[Ro.8:16; 1Co.2:11; Ro.8:14]
The way for God’s fallen and sinful children in this world to enter into His heavenly Kingdom is very narrow and very hard to find. Indeed, it is a one man charted course – a one man forged pathway. Jesus is the only way, truth and life. No man comes unto the Father, but by Him. He is our one and only Savior. We desperately need the soul-quickening Holy Spirit to guide us in His footsteps through this world of darkness and trouble. We need the Word of God – I.e. the living Word of God – to be the shinning lamp unto our feet – from here to there! Praise His wonderful Name! Amen.
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
