Years had gone by as I wandered aimlessly. There was no bridle of constraint to keep me from sin. I knew God but I had chosen to walk through the wide gate. There was an abundance of liberty here, temptations and passions were readily fulfilled. There was no check to my appetite and nothing to hedge me in. There were so many paths and so many people, I could go anywhere, do anything. It was beautiful and pleasing and seemed to meet my every desire. With all the company and crowds going this way how could I go wrong?
Before I knew it the path was leading to death. I realized it didn’t matter if I was openly profane with the path that I took or secretly living a double life, professing Christ but full of hypocrisy, either way led to sin. The gate was wide and the way was broad, everyone around me was here, it was fun, it was appealing but it was killing me and death lurked at the door.
There were two choices at the beginning, the distinction of the choice that is made will swallow up all to eternity. We all get a choice. I had chosen the wrong gate, but I hadn’t seen another. I thought I was to just bring Jesus with me through the wide gate, share Him with others. I was mistaken. I turned around and headed back to the beginning.
“It is easier to set a man against the world then against himself and yet this is what must be” ~Matthew Henry’s commentary
Tucked in the corner, out of the way, covered with brush. I saw it now, my eyes had been opened and I was searching for it. The gate wasn’t locked, I could go right in but many passed by carelessly. No one was taking pains to find it, many didn’t see the need to search for it. Others really didn’t want the limits or restraints this way required and shunned it.
The path was straight, holiness engulfed me. My new heart and new spirit led me. God had made all things new, old things passed away. There was much opposition on this path. Not as carefree as the other but I struggled with myself and I broke through. There is security here, hedged in by divine law and covered in the blood of Jesus. Yes there is self denial but the rewards are endless. One moment in heaven makes amends for the strait narrow, difficult path. I knew this was the right way, the way of life. I had found it!
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
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