The Narrow Way

The longer I follow Christ, the more I am struck by His objective claims.  The world says there are "many paths to God," but the Bible proclaims the opposite.  In our modern-day culture of relativity, people hate the idea of anyone claiming to possess absolute truth.  That is why people hated Jesus.  He stood up to the religious leaders of the day, boldly proclaiming He was the Son of God.  He transcended all earthly rulers in wisdom and power.  He performed mighty signs and wonders, and rose from the dead in glory.  He said without apology or caveat in John 14:6:  "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."  No politician, prophet, or lunatic spoke as this Man.  In Christ we find no comfortable middle ground with this world.

Following Jesus Christ is an exclusive, narrow way.  He will receive every sinner who repents and receives Him through faith.  The Gospel is incredibly simple, yet it is the hard way.  Christ's yoke is easy and His burden light, but the broad path to destruction is easier traveled than the upward call of God.  The way of Jesus Christ is an uncompromising way.  Because of this, it is an impractical way for anyone who desires earthly recognition, fame, power, or glory.  Yet it goes further.  It is an intolerable way.  People have no problem with Christians when they resemble the soft, weak, mushy persona that often passes for Jesus.  But when Christians take a stand upon the Bible as the literal Word of God concerning moral issues in society, they are fiercely attacked and despised.  It is an impossible, unthinkable way.  Following Jesus in obedience makes foolishness appear wise from a worldly perspective.  Those who have tasted and seen that God is good know better!

God's way is the only way, and that Way is Jesus Christ.  Exclusive and narrow, yes.  Narrow is not a bad thing when you are heading precisely in the right direction!  While the world searches fruitlessly for love, peace, joy, significance, assurance, and purpose, these things are found in Christ alone.  1 John 5:11-12:  "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. ¹² He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."  Notice the lack of words like "might," "may," "possibly," or "hopefully."  God has given eternal life and this life is in Jesus Christ.  Unmistakably direct and clear:  there is a God and He has provided a Way to heaven through Jesus.  He who has the Son has life, and those without the Son of God do not have life.  Clear, precise, and concise.  There is the claim; take it or leave it.  Laugh it off, fight against it, rage against the idea, hurl insult after insult.  But the truth resounds now and for eternity, for the Word of God endures forever.

The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who worship the creature over the Creator, but to those who are saved it is the power of God.  Romans 10:8-9 reads, "But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."  Believe, confess your sins, repent, and be saved, becoming born again through the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is not one of many doors to heaven, but He is the Door through whom all who enter heaven must enter.  Jesus says in John 10:9-10:  "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  Rely upon Christ Jesus and choose life!