The Narrow Gate

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. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few (Matthew 7:13-14).

The Marvel Cave, a cavern ca. 500 feet underground, is one of the main attractions at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. The Cathedral Room in the cavern is large enough to stand the Statue of Liberty. The entrance into the room is so narrow and the ceiling so low only one person at a time can squeeze through.

Critics point to a number of issues they believe make Christianity absurd. One criticism is that Christianity is too narrow minded. Jesus said (John 14:6), I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. He said (John 10:9), I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved. . . . Peter said (Acts 4:12), . . . there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Paul said (1 Timothy 2:5), . . . there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. To the vast majority of people, this is too narrow and unacceptable.

From the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus pointed out the attitudes and actions of people and their religion that are absurd and unacceptable to God. He also revealed the attitudes and actions God requires to enter and live in His Kingdom. It is His Kingdom. He has the right to set the requirements for entrance into it. He has.

Jesus Christ is the gate into the Kingdom. He is the only gate into the Kingdom - not church membership or affiliation, not religious traditions, ceremonies, sacraments or fervor, not financial support of religious groups or charities, not personal moral and ethical excellence. People who rely on anyone or any other means other than personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to get to heaven will not get there. Again, it is God’s Kingdom. He has set the means for entrance into His kingdom. The gate is narrow by design, but not too narrow for a person to get through. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:16-17).

“Father, Your Word says we should be diligent to confirm our calling and election; we need to be sure we are saved. Impress upon me daily the assurance of salvation in Your Son Jesus Christ. May Your Holy Spirit bear witness of that truth again and again in my life, for there are too many voices in the world that would have me think otherwise. And let me be a witness to everyone I meet that Jesus is the way to salvation - the only way - and even though the gate into the Kingdom is narrow, it’s not too narrow for him/her to enter if they will only believe in and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. To His glory and praise I ask, Amen.”

Pastor