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Why is the Way to Life Narrow?
Why is the Way to Life Narrow?
“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:14). Most Christians think the way is narrow because few are willing to put in the work necessary to get to heaven. After all, faith without works is dead (James 2:26) and it’s much harder to work on discipline and self-control than to take the wide path of self-indulgence. Certainly, there is some truth to that, but that’s not why the way is narrow. Ironically, that way of thinking misses the entire point of the Sermon on the Mount; we can’t work our way into heaven! No amount of discipline, self-control or righteous deeds can get us to heaven. That’s what the Pharisees thought, and Jesus preached this sermon in Matthew 5-7 to correct that error.
It’s tempting to view the Sermon on the Mount as the “new law” and to think, “Wow! Jesus is setting the bar even higher for morality, but if I work hard enough at it, I can achieve it and get to Heaven.” No, the very first line in the sermon is, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” (5:3). Ironically, the key to getting to Heaven is to realize we are completely unrighteous and we’ll never be righteous enough to get there. If we think we can, here’s our standard: “Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (5:48). Still feeling righteous? Jesus doesn’t just set the bar for righteousness high; He sets the bar at God Himself to show us just how unrighteous we really are on our own. Of course, the Pharisees didn’t understand this concept. They thought they were righteous because of all their good deeds, which is why Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of Heaven.” (5:20). He wasn’t telling us to work harder and be more self-disciplined than the scribes and Pharisees; He was teaching us about a different kind of righteousness entirely. It’s a righteousness that comes from trusting fully that despite our unrighteousness God will forgive us and declare us righteous through the sacrifice of His Son (cf. Philippians 3:9).
The way is narrow because few submit to the righteousness that comes from God by faith, not from works of their own. Few are humble enough to admit their spiritual bankruptcy. Few will admit their utter dependence on Jesus. Certainly, few will live a life of discipline and self-control, but that’s not just because it’s hard; it’s because they don’t see the need to serve God in gratitude for His grace. The way is wide that leads to destruction because most people, like the Pharisees, are content with their own version of righteousness and simply will not come to Jesus (cf. John 5:39-40). Which path are you on?
