Straight & Narrow

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).

I'm sure you've read this passage before, or you've at least heard it quoted in sermons, or by others on Facebook, so needless to say, there is no need to devote pages and pages of text to explain every detail of this passage. However, I would like to emphasize two things...

1. There is a contrast between "many" and "few." According to Jesus, hell will be filled with "many" and heaven will be filled with "few." So...the majority of people are living in such a way that their "life after death" will be characterized by destruction and fire. Are you one of the few who will experience heaven or one of the many who will experience hell? Do you fit in with the majority? Do you feel comfortable in the world? Is your life much like the lives of your friends, coworkers and neighbors? If you do not feel isolated and/or peculiar in this world, then perhaps you need to reexamine your spiritual condition.
2. There is another contrast between "wide/broad" and "difficult." The path to eternal destruction is said to be wide, meaning it is easy. Conversely, the path to heaven is narrow and difficult. Imagine the ease of driving down a four-lane interstate compared to the difficulty of navigating a narrow, winding mountain road...at night...in the snow. Christianity, in other words, isn't easy. And yet there are so many people who wear the name "Christian" who are just cruising down the interstate of life, seemingly comfortable, complacent and having a grand ol' time. Do you find it easy to be a Christian, or is every day a challenge? Does your faith consume a lot of your time, resources and energy, or do you feel relaxed and comfortable? If it's easy for you to be a Christian, and if you're expending little effort in spiritual matters, you are most likely not on the straight and narrow path that leads to heaven!

How do you measure up?