“THE NARROW GATE!”

 Matthew 7:12-14                            (ESV)

“12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

13 "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.

14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and THOSE WHO FIND IT ARE FEW.”

There are “subtitles” in my BIBLE that we humans use to supposedly direct our thoughts in the study of GOD’S WORD.  The subtitle for these three verses is “The Golden Rule”!  Doing unto others AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU (paraphrase!) is often quoted in a Pharisaical haughtiness, almost looking down on others?  However the next two verses are not quoted as much as they can be very humbling to read and live!

The words “enter by “THE NARROW GATE”” should not be mistaken for a blanket invitation to Heaven.  JESUS says the the very next verse “For the gate is narrow and THE WAY IS HARD that leads to life, and THOSE WHO FIND IT ARE FEW.”  “THE NARROW GATE” is a statement that tells us that the getting admitted to Heaven is for we that are CHOSEN to suffer hardships for the Kingdom.  Ananias was told by JESUS in Acts 9:15-16 “But the LORD said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of MINE to carry MY name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much HE MUST SUFFER for the sake of MY name."  “THE NARROW GATE” is difficult to enter, but when GOD CHOOSES us, HE gives us the courage and strength to complete our tasks.  

Don’t ignore the end of Matthew 7:13 though.  “For the gate is wide and the WAY IS EASY that leads to destruction, and THOSE WHO ENTER BY IT ARE MANY.”!   Following the crowd might be the easiest thing to do, but when it leads to destruction the weeping and gnashing of teeth will be deafening.  It is better to be BROKEN AND SPILLED OUT for JESUS than to be whole and be separated from HIM for eternity!

The Golden Rule might be what some people want to focus on in Matthew 7, but for we who are CHOSEN, entering Heaven by “THE NARROW GATE” doesn’t need to be overlooked!  We might be “peculiar people” (Deuteronomy 14:2), but Heaven is not accepting everyone who claims to be one of HIS.  It is for us who are CHOSEN to be “peculiar people” and enter through “THE NARROW GATE”!!!