Matthew 7:13 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.
This passage of scripture as spoken by Christ teaches us a very crucial lesson in life, that the majority opinion cannot be always trusted. Furthermore, according to the passage it is actually dangerous to follow the crowd, especially when it comes to choosing an evil course of action. In this instance the majority are shown to be headed for perdition, while the few who find and follow the straight and narrow path may be ostracized and heckled because of their singular divergence from the mainstream concepts and ideologies commonly held by popular demand. Even though the great commission of Christ is to be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, yet the fact of the matter is that the unadulterated truth will never be popular with earth's teeming masses, for it calls for self-denial, a principle that stands in opposition to the worldly concepts of self preservation and aggrandizement.
Doctrine by popular demand is a diabolical concept that is taking deep root in our national consciousness, and the situation is becoming so dire that truth is no more recognized as the gold standard for our beliefs, but rather what the majority clamors for, whether it be wrong or right. This deteriorating condition of society was prophetically pronounced in several passages of scripture, with the hope that the sincere seeker for truth would search the scriptures daily, and thus be enabled to stand his ground against the many theories, vagaries, and unscriptural concepts that are coming in fast and furiously, to water down the truths God has given us to live by. The irreverent clamor for smooth doctrines that gloss over sin is one of the sure signs of the last days in which we now live. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
For instance, most people do not believe in absolute truth anymore, and it is now a widely held belief that we are accountable only to ourselves, and therefore the sacred words of scripture can be adjusted, amended, gutted, or totally disregarded, with no negative consequences whatsoever. Another dangerous trend that has taken hold on the multitudes is that we are free to redefine marriage and other sacred institutions God has given, with impunity. Yet another doctrine that has emerged by popular demand is the erroneous theory that God is too good to punish the abandoned sinner, and because of this soul-destroying teaching, the tender mercies of God are misinterpreted as weakness, and some poor mortals even go so far as to make a public mockery of His name and His law. This mindset is adequately described in the Bible as stubbornness, and will meet the same fate as those who cherish all other false concepts, and popular but unfounded theories about God. Let's read:
Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him.
In our own experiences, it is imperative therefore that we take God seriously at His word, and not be brainwashed into thinking that He is only a God of love, and not of judgment. This popular but unbalanced view will one day cause a very rude awakening for many of earth's inhabitants, when we may find out too late that the laws of sowing and reaping will certainly be fulfilled in their due season, and if we have followed the multitude in doing or supporting evil, we will also follow the majority down the broad road that leads to destruction. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which should cause us to be sober, thoughtful and wise in our understanding of God, so that when the reaping time comes, we may have a harvest, not to be ashamed of. Let's read:
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!