Matthew 7:13 Enter you in at the strait gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and many there be which go in therein. 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.
The strait gate, and the broad way represent two of the most divergent views and perspectives adopted by the human family, which did not originate with man. The strait gate comes to us from God, but the broad way is a perspective on life that has its origins with satan.
The word “Strait” refers to restrictions, or self-denial that are integral aspects of the strait, or narrow way. To put it in layman’s terms, the strait way does not allow a person to do as he or she pleases. Instead, everything that is said, done, or chosen, is referred first, and processed through the word of God for an approval.
And if such things are out of line with the word they are shelved, or put in the garbage as the case might be. In other words, persons who walk through the strait gate live by the maxim “If God says it, I believe it, and that settles it for me.” Let none be deceived, about this, for the Bible teaches these sacred truths without any apologies. Let’s read:
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would.
18 But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Colossians 3: 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Mortify meaning: abase, belittle, chasten, control, crush, deny, disappoint, discipline, discomfit, harass, humble, ridicule, bother.
There are numerous smooth-talking, Bible twisting, Scripture misinterpreting, soothsaying, and money grabbing televangelists, who, by practicing financial stop and frisk, have watered down the pure word of God to make it appealing to the masses of people in an effort to soothe itching ears, while, at the same time, they make billions off of poorer congregants.
What they say may sound good, and they may use catchy phrases such as the 3 frogs in Revelation 16 use with their tongues, such as “Name it and claim it” but beneath their outer veneer of cute sayings, lies the desiccated Bible, that has lost its force to do good among men.
The word of God is plain and simple: If you choose the strait, and narrow path that leads to life eternal there are certain things you just cannot do. Period!
In other words, the cravings of the flesh must all be subjugated and killed, through the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, and in cooperation with Christ, through our freedom of choice. And the laws, and principles of God’s kingdom must be etched indelibly into the heart. That’s the strait gate given in a nutshell.
The other divergent view, which has its origins with satan is the Broad way in which any and everything goes. This view of life allows persons to do whatever they please whether it’s in line with the Bible or not, and it puts the icing on the cake, by offering eternal life right after death, regardless of who you are, and regardless of what you have done.
On “Broad Way” folks are allowed to smoke weed, to drink alcohol, to eat forbidden foods, to indulge in same-sex marriage, to have multiple wives, and mistresses, to curse out those they may not agree with, to cheat on one’s taxes, to pay hush money to silence the truth, to bribe politicians, and to come out and tell lies every day, with seeming impunity.
It's funny, because on the broad way, you are also permitted to read your Bible and go to church on a regular basis and you can pray to God for blessings and deliverance, just like the one who is striving to subjugate the lusts of the flesh.
So, basically, the Broad way presents an apparent win-win situation, where persons are accorded the best of two worlds, as they do whatever they might please, whenever and howsoever they may choose, and somehow, end up in heaven, with a crown on their heads at the end of the day.
Obviously, this broad way will have much more curb appeal than the strait way, and no doubt, there are many more subscribers, as multitudes fall for a win-win perspective that allows complete freedom with eternal life and heaven as their final destiny. Let’s read:
Matthew 7:13 “For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.”
Both paths are guided by instructions, methods, and ways and means that are entirely different, not only in their structure and purposes but also in their final outcomes. The two divergent views are also guided by foundational principles, coming from God on the one hand, and from man’s nemesis on the other.
One pathway leads to eternal life, the other leads to extermination, but along the way, they may seem to have similarities which could cause some persons to become confused, if such persons are not informed by the Scriptures.
These similarities plagued Solomon, as he wandered through the slough of despondency, for in his mind, at that time, there were not much differences. And we too, in our journey towards God’s kingdom may be tempted to believe that there are not any major differences and as such the next logical question will be “Why bother?”
As we read the following passages, we are to bear in mind that the perspectives are coming from a man who tampered with the broad way, in the vain hope of finding true happiness. And as such, his views of life must be taken with a pinch of salt, meaning that they apply mostly when one has tinkered with the broad way. Let’s read:
Ecclesiastes 2:22 For what has man of all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath labored under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
Ecclesiastes 8: 14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
That is one perspective, coming from king Solomon who sank very deep into depression as the result of seeking joy, happiness and fulfillment in life, in all of the wrong places. Folks should be very careful when reading some of the verses in Ecclesiastes, for they portray life as only doom and gloom, without any sunshine or purpose to living.
Again, we say, exercise great caution in interpreting some of the sayings of Solomon in Ecclesiastes, for although all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, the sincere seeker for truth must at all times retain the good, and utterly refuse the evil.
When a person embarks upon the strait way, as the Bible describes self is lost in service to God and man and it is this that brings joy, meaning and purpose to life, so that whatever frustrations, disappointments, and difficulties folks might endure, at the end of the day, when the dust has settled, as persons look back upon their life’s work, it would have been worth the living.
This is what Jesus diligently set about to do every day, for after communion with His Father, He would set off on His journeys through cities, thoroughfares or market places, preaching the good news, healing, the sick and instructing people in the things of God.
Thus, when He lay down to sleep, and reflected on what was done throughout the day, Jesus could feel fulfilled in His heart, that he had been of benefit to humanity and a blessing to others. When one’s life is centered in service to others, the joys of seeing a person give their life to God, causes the troubles of life to pale into insignificance.
Thus, in comparing and contrasting the strait gate and the broad way, the end purposes of life must be brought into the equation, since great distortions in perspective have been introduced by man’s nemesis in so much that there might be some persons who are in danger of falling for his sophistries.
One of the delusionary views that have been spread abroad in the hearts and minds of men is that God’s ways are only doom and gloom while the broad way is full of fun, happiness and fulfilment. This concept must now be debunked in the clearest terms, and to put it bluntly, it’s simply a big, fat lie! Let’s read:
Malachi 3: 13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
14 Ye have said, it is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?
15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
The truth of the matter is that in serving God in the strait gate you will encounter problems at times, but walking on the broadway also has its own problems, the main difference being that you will always have more problems on the broad way, than on the strait gate. Let none be deceived on this point.
Following Jesus and the laws, principles, instructions and commandments God has given us to live by, will always elevate a person. Yes, there will be times of trial, and temptation, when hurdles, and challenges beset your feet. Yes, there may be sickness, health issues or problems on the job, but at the end of the day you’re always better off serving God. For sure!
Just because persons choose the broad way doesn’t mean that satan will leave them alone to live a life free of suffering and problems. If you are a Christian you will be tempted, and if you are a non-Christian, you will still be tempted. It’s a myth and a delusion to think that satan only bothers Christians; he also bothers, and harasses some of his most ardent followers.
You think you have problems now? Just make the mistake and go on the Broad way, and you will find out the hard way what real problems are. The time has come for the raw truths in these matters to be made plain, for satan does not deliver anybody. At least, we know that we can turn to Christ in times of difficulty, because He delights in mercy.
But man’s nemesis does not know what the word mercy means for it’s entirely foreign to his kingdom. He will heckle, and criticize the Christian who is on the strait way, and tempt you to forsake Christ and adopt Broadway philosophies, but whenever push comes to shove, and your back is against the wall, satan doesn’t deliver anybody from their problems.
In fact, in most cases when persons turn to him for help, he will add more problems on top of what you already have. At his very core he takes delight in the multiplication of your problems. That is what he did to king Saul, after the ill-fated king had done satan’s bidding faithfully.
In his hour of deep distress, Saul turned to the devil for help, but instead of delivering Saul, he uttered a withering condemnation of the king, and accurately predicted the demise of both Saul, and his sons the following day, thus driving the despairing king much deeper into depression, to the point where the king collapsed on the floor.
The following day he directed the Philistine archers to single out Saul in particular, and thus a fatal dart was hurled at the king, who, upon realizing that he was mortally wounded, was driven by satan to do the unthinkable. Therefore, Saul sank down into the abyss of eternal night, bound in a chain of problems.
So, let’s say it again so that persons might hear and understand correctly: whatever might be your own frustration in the strait gate, whatever might be the seemingly insurmountable problem, remember this one thing, the devil does not deliver you when you are down and out. Instead, he pushes you further down, and further out. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 28: 4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.
5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
7 Then said Saul unto his servants seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
15 And Samuel said to Saul why have you disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore, I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.
16 Then said Samuel, wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?
17 And the Lord hath done to him, as he spoke by me: for the Lord hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbor, even to David.
18 Because thou obeyed not the voice of the Lord, nor executed his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto thee this day.
19 Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
No one who ventures on Broadway gets off scotch free, and from what we are currently seeing on the news if a person adopts the broad way perspective there’ll be a high price to pay when your chickens finally come home to roost. On the contrary, the person who’s walking the strait gate could go to sleep with a clear conscience, not having to worry about whether the Feds may come knocking at the front door at midnight or in the wee hours of the morning.
Psalms 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
23 Then shalt you walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When you lie down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Another point of great stumbling, as it pertains to the Strait gate versus Broadway is the assumption that you must subscribe to worldly principles, ways and means, in order to be successful. On this point, the differences might seem fuzzy at times, to the Christian, for it seems as if both paths offer success to its subscribers.
This can cause great misunderstanding amongst the followers of Jesus Christ if the nuts and bolts of true success are not investigated. Believe it or not, God offers success and satan also offers his own version of success, and thus, the believers in Christ have to be aware of the stark differences between the two kinds of success. Let’s read:
Joshua 1: 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Genesis 13:1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. 2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
The Christian in our day who is reading these verses and comparing them with those dire financial straits he or she might be in, might be driven to conclude that there must be a missing link somewhere, since it might seem as if those passages are farfetched of fulfilment on a personal level.
Then, to make matters worse, the devil also seems to offer success, albeit on very different terms and conditions. In fact, many have been led to believe that there’s more success on Broadway than on the strait way, and for this reason, many Christians have seriously considered jumping ship. Let’s read:
Matthew 4: 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and shews him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him “All these things will I give you, if thou will fall down and worship me.
[The Desire of Ages pp 129] Placing Jesus upon a high mountain, Satan caused the kingdoms of the world, in all their glory, to pass in panoramic view before Him. The sunlight lay on templed cities, marbled palaces, fertile fields, and fruit-laden vineyards. The traces of evil were hidden.
The eyes of Jesus, so lately greeted by gloom and desolation, now gazed upon a scene of unsurpassed loveliness and prosperity. Then the tempter's voice was heard: “All this power will I give Thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If Thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be Thine.
These two different types of success do present the sort of conundrum that almost caused Asaph in the Bible to stumble, for he had great difficulty in trying to figure out, why those on Broadway seemed to be making it, while he, as a talented musician seemed to be suffering, playing music in church.
Thus, he reasoned back and forth, and rolled it over in his mind, he scratches his head, weighing the pros and cons carefully, day after day, until his cogitations and reasonings gave utterance in words that were almost a complaint. Let’s read:
Psalms 73: 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well-nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasses them about as a chain; violence covers them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me.
The main problem with Asaph was his attitude, for he fell into the snare of trying to compare apples to oranges, and in the process, he almost lost his way. Asaph was evaluating success and prosperity based upon the material things persons have, and for this reason, he fell into complaining mode as is often the case when the Christian in our day follows his lead.
When Christians in 2024 set their faces towards heaven, looking beyond that which is seen, to that which is eternal, estimating Christ and the kingdom of God as being of infinitely higher value than mere material things, then God could safely bless such a person with material things, because their priorities and heart are in the right place, and order.
But if one’s heart is fixated upon earthly treasure, if one’s priorities are inverted to the point where the material things of earth seem more valuable than eternal realities, then God has to think twice when it comes to blessing such individuals materially, for there will be the possibility of a dangerous blessing, where riches and material things may do more harm than good to the person in question.
This leads us to our study for today, because the rich young ruler in Christ’s day did the same sort of thing that Asaph did, in assessing, and weighing the pros and cons of the strait way versus Broadway. As the stipulations were laid bare to him by Christ, he too, like Asaph, began to scratch his head and stroke his beard as he thought the proposal over. Let’s read:
Matthew 19: 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
A very interesting and very important commentary is made on this situation that obtained as Christ laid out the terms, and conditions of discipleship to this particular young man, and it is worth the time, and the effort to unpack the truth in the matter so that we may understand why Christ spoke to Him, the words that He did. Let’s read:
[The Desire of Ages pp 520] The ruler was quick to discern all that Christ's words involved, and he became sad. If he had realized the value of the offered gift, quickly would he have enrolled himself as one of Christ's followers. He was a member of the honored council of the Jews, and Satan was tempting him with flattering prospects of the future.
He wanted the heavenly treasure, but he wanted also the temporal advantages his riches would bring him. He was sorry that such conditions existed; he desired eternal life, but he was not willing to make the sacrifice. The cost of eternal life seemed too great, and he went away sorrowful; “for he had great possessions.
The Scriptures, and the servant of The Lord make 3 critically important points upon the ways the young man came to his final conclusion and decision. Here they are:
[1] He became sad.
[2] Satan was tempting him with flattering prospects of the future.
[3] He was sorry that such conditions existed.
Let’s take the first one: “He became sad” Question: Why would he become sad? Answer: He became sad after weighing the pros and cons of the strait gate, just like Asaph did and he concluded that he would be put at a great disadvantage, if he were to accept the terms and conditions Christ laid out.
In other words, he concluded that he was given a raw deal that would greatly impede his progress and success in this life. Therefore, we have to pose this question to the you and me in the here and now:
Is it true, that in choosing to walk the strait gate that one’s progress, success, and overall development or advancement in this life would be greatly impeded?
If we were to conclude yes, then like Asaph, and the rich young ruler we would be in danger of becoming sad. The truth of the matter is that Christ was only asking the young man to rearrange his priorities in the right order, for whenever, and wherever this is done there ain’t no stopping the Christian in this life or in the life to come, as far as progress, success, or advancement goes.
This is one of the greatest falsehoods and delusions let loose by the devil across Christendom, and it has negatively impacted the perspectives, and decisions of some who choose to walk the strait gate.
Nothing can be further than the truth, for according to the Bible, the one who has his, or her priorities in the right order is enabled, and encouraged to shoot for the stars, since with Jesus sitting on the throne of the heart, the sky is the limit. Let’s read:
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law does he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Deuteronomy 28: 12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them.
This leads us to the second observation made by the servant of the Lord, and implied in the words of the Bible: Satan was tempting him with flattering prospects of the future.
When tempting Jesus in the wilderness, the devil offered Jesus the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them in exchange for bowing down. Thus, we must again pose this question to the you and me in the here and now:
Is it true, that the only way to reach the pinnacle of success in this life is to “Bow down and worship the devil?” Let the word of God answer this question, because great darkness on these issues have now enveloped the earth. Let’s read:
Daniel 6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
Psalms 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant.
18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron.
19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.
20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance.
22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
Psalms 149: 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.
This leads us to our third and final observation: He was sorry that such conditions existed.
Question: Which conditions are being referred to? Answer: The conditions Christ laid down. All of the terms and conditions laid down by God in the Bible, for the Christian to adopt and follow, will ultimately lead a person to the pinnacle of success in this life, and in the life to come.
It all has to do with having the priorities in the right order, and one’s heart in the right place, for when this is the case, God will develop and bless the man or woman to the maximum, since doing so would not prove an existential threat to your salvation.
The restrictions and self-denial you encounter in the strait gate are there for our development, character building, and success. Self-denial opens the door to liberty, and putting God, and others first, paves the way for you to reach the highest round on Jacob’s ladder.
Therefore, let none who have chosen the strait gate complain or murmur nor should we become sad like Asaph and the rich young ruler, for the ways of God are ways of success and triumph, in every aspect of the Christian’s life, if all the stipulations written are diligently followed by His grace, and in cooperation with the presence and power of the Holy Ghost.
We’ll therefore end with two passages of scripture which should permanently debunk any other theory or perspective to the contrary. Let’s read:
James 1: 25 But whosoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
2nd Corinthians 3: 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
God Bless!