Matthew 7:13
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it!”
Choose the right path
There is a noble and popular current line of thought that runs like this: – “Choose your own path because all paths lead to the same destination in the end. All belief systems of different cultures and times are acceptable and equal (even if the belief is a self-invention of God by drawing from other religions and new age beliefs.) What is good for me to believe is true for me and what is good for you is true for you.”
I’d say that Jesus’ message is not so politically correct. He says there are two (eternal) destinations, “life” and “destruction”. Jesus says with authority (aside – “How does a mere man know about these things?”) that most people are heading to “destruction”.
From observation of the world this horror message reeks of truth. But at the same time this message is an inspiration. Choose life. Take the path less travelled even when everybody else isn’t.
There is a Michael Leunig cartoon in which a man is depicted walking down a wide dark street. Passing an alley, he takes a casual glance down it. The sign on the road he is on is labelled “the life you lead” and the alley which is emanating bright light says “the life you could have lead”.
Where is this narrow gate? How can we know that we have found the right path? Read on. The next thing Jesus says is “Be careful who you follow.”
Davin Price is an electrical engineer designing control systems for bulk handling machinery.