Articles
Two Ways to Walk in Life
Two Ways to Walk in Life
Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:13-14).
In these few words, the Lord reveals two ways of life that lie open before us and in so doing He also attempts to get our attention by use of words that show how different these two ways are--strait and narrow versus wide and broad. He also reveals something about each of these ways that should grab our attention real fast--one leads to destruction while one leads to life.
We should pay close attention to the Lord when He tells us that there will be few people who will find that small gate and walk on that narrow way that leads to life. Hear the voice of Jesus as He tells us:
*Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and
follow me--Mark 8:34
*Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple--Luke 14:33
*Seek ye first the kingdom of God--Matthew 6:33
*If ye love me, you will keep my commandments--John 14:15
There are times when it may seem to us that the cross we must bear is simply too heavy. If we are not diligent to guard our heart, we could find ourselves becoming discouraged, even despondent. Every once in a while, we just need to pause and count the many ways in which our Lord has blessed us--as one of our grand old songs says: "name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
The way that leads to life must be walked with great care and watchfulness. We know not
when the moment of time will come in which we will fold up this earthly tent. It is imperative that we walk each day in a state of readiness (2 Tim. 4:6; Heb. 3:12-14; Philippians 1:22-23; Gal. 2:20; 1 Cor. 10:12). If we are to continue on the narrow way we must keep our heart, our thoughts, our deeds and actions clear and alert (1 Thess.5:6; 1 Peter 1:13)
Life for each of us is a great adventure. My hope, my desire, my prayer is that all of us have found that small gate and now walk and will continue to walk on the narrow way that leads to life everlasting. I pray that each day our lives will be a reflection of Luke 12:35: “Be dressed in readiness and keep your lamps lit.” To God be the glory forever and ever!
Charles Hicks, Gallatin Tennessee
