Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. — Matthew 7:13-14 KJV
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. — Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
Reflection on Verse for Today
Only Christ’s followers were instructed to pass through the narrow gate. Only they received the warning that the path to a shattered life is broad and the gate is wide. They were only warned of the repercussions of choosing the wrong gate, which include destruction, a meaningless life, and a squandered life where Christ is not the center and God is not exalted.
God is loyal to His eternal promises to everyone who are saved by grace through faith in Him, and none will ever lose their eternal salvation, regardless of the gate a Christian chooses to enter. Nevertheless, the one who decides to live for themselves is the one who steps onto the road to ruin, forfeiting the chance to die to themselves and live for Christ. As they will have led an unproductive life and lost their recompense, they will be saved for all eternity, but as though by fire. As we work to nail our own egos to the cross and exalt Christ in our bodies to His credit and glory, let us try to enter in through the narrow gate and live a victorious and abundant life here on earth.
My Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me by grace through Christ and preserving for me an eternal inheritance in paradise. I ask that I may daily put to death everything that is self-centered and live each day for Christ. Help me to decide to walk through the narrow door of devoted, disciplined Christian, which opens to a prosperous life on earth. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.