The Narrow Gate Is Worth the Cost of Admission

I took a few major road trips with family this year which included visits to 21 different National Parks in 8 different states. That’s a lot of nature and far too many miles. We spotted a variety of wildlife: grizzly and black bears, moose, elk, a fox, bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, deer, prairie dogs, jack rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, and scores of flying animals, including, an owl, turkey vultures, quail, and even a bat.

We had our share of adventures, too! We hung from cables to hike a rock slab mountain. We navigated snow cover in search of marked trails. And, possibly the most rewarding, we began a hike in the rain to see one of the most photographed natural arches in the world. And, on a typical day, there are tens and sometimes hundreds of people surrounding the arch, but we managed to get sun-shiny pictures without anyone else in the frame!

But that hike to the arch was not for the faint of heart, and some of the other trails and trail heads were anything but inviting. But we hiked them because we knew we were in for a treat. Those trails led us to some of God’s studios where He displays his artistry.

We discovered that less appealing hikes are worth the price of admission.

I consider some trail heads to be “narrow gates.” Narrow gates might turn many of us the other direction, but often the road less traveled is a road to unimaginable blessings. This is true of the narrow gate Jesus described during His well-known Sermon on the Mount.

“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

The narrow gate leads to life!

But only a few find it.

How do we find the narrow gate when it’s so easy to just go with the flow? Well, it's right here in plain sight! Many even know it by name:

Jesus

   

But it’s the road less traveled for a reason. The broad gate is more appealing. It's less confusing. No one will make fun of us or wonder what we’re doing. And it's hard to give up our Sunday mornings! Really hard.

But let me tell you about the road less traveled…

The road may not seem appealing, but it is rich with hidden treasures. Following Jesus through the narrow gate is not the norm. Sometimes we Christians are called freaks because our values, choices, and activities are different. Well, that’s true. Not the freak part, but we do look at life differently, and, as a result, we operate on a different plain. But here’s what we have as a result:

·       The absolute promise of eternal life in Heaven

·       Companionship and help from the God of the universe

·       Joy on demand

·       Assurance and strength throughout all loss, trauma, and adversity

·       Friendship and partnership with fellow Christians

·       The ability to see the bigger, spiritual picture in every situation

·       Wisdom equal to that of King Solomon

·       Open ears to hear God when we read His Word, through prayer, and from our internal teacher and advocate, the Holy Spirit

And more, every day, to the fullest of potential.

It doesn’t matter who we are or what we’ve done. Everyone can enter the gate and walk the path. Everyone is welcome.

Jesus already knows us and yet He cares about our every detail. I learned something new about my wife this summer. She likes trunks, stumps, and rocks. On our hikes, she admired countless trunks, stumps, and rocks. We must have over 100 pictures of family members…with trunks, stumps, and rocks. Why so many? Because each one is different. Each is special, and walking around them offers even more special details. Jesus walks with us and knows us. He cares deeply for us and no detail is lost from His eyes, not because He wants to point a finger, but because He wants to love us – every part of us.

When we climb the mountain, there’s no muttering, “I think I can.” Difficult trails tend to be long and steep. I often relapse into childhood boredom: “Are we there yet?” The destination is beautiful and all, but the journey is exhausting. Not so with the narrow gate. Instead, we get relief. Our heavy burdens are suddenly much lighter because Jesus bears the weight. We only need to step onto the path.

Our greatest weight is the penalty of our sinfulness. Jesus paid the price to satisfy God’s perfect standard. He came to earth with love and forgiveness, and offers His open arms.

This is how to step through the narrow gate and into God’s loving and forgiving arms:

1.  Admit that you are a sinner (Romans 3:32).

2.  Understand that your sin, and even sinfulness, falls short of God’s standard, and is punishable by death (Romans 6:23).

3.  Believe that Jesus paid the penalty for your sins by dying on a criminal’s cross as a perfect and sinless man (Romans 5:8).

4.  Believe that Jesus rose from His grave and defeated death (John 11:25).

5.  Acknowledge Jesus as Lord of all and Lord of your life (Romans 14:8-9).

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-17

That’s it! It’s only a matter of faith. If you agree with the 5 steps, say it out loud. Say it to God (Romans 10:9-10). You have eternal life – a gift of His grace. Read Ephesians 2:1-9 for a good explanation of your new life.

If you walk the above steps, the logical follow up is to continue walking the path. Stay on the narrow path. It is decorated with green pastures, vibrant rivers, and lush meadows (John 10:9-10).

Let’s walk the road less traveled together. Enter the narrow gate. Climb the mountain. Jesus is calling.

Jesus answered [Doubting Thomas],
“I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.

John 14:6-7

I close with a song. Take time to listen. Jesus is calling.

Come to the Altar (Elevation Worship, 2016)

If you want to know more about God’s love and how to have a relationship with Him, please email me at authordlv@att.net. You may also want to read more about God's gift of salvation here.

Read more blog posts here.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.