The Narrow Way to Life (Matthew 7:13-14) - Tim Conway

We must put away the idea of a so-called Christianity that says you don't have to follow Christ entirely. This is false and headed in the direction of the broad road to destruction. The only rules on the easy way are the ones you want. Yet on the narrow way to life one is bound to Jesus Christ and reliant on Him. There are going to be such powers that are going to resist you in this world that if God's everlasting arms were not under you, you would fail in a moment.

Text: Matthew 7:13-14 - Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

[faithinwhatChristdidonthecross]

I’m so very grateful for this teaching, I’ve listened to it several times and I so desperately needed it now. Thank you Pastor Tim and I’ll be honest😊 revisiting this message often🙏

[richardsoderkvist]

Thank you Pastor Tim for this messagethat you preached. And others as well. I heard this message sometime back quite a few months ago. Thank and praise the Lord it was real good to hear it again. Praise God its all very sobering meaningful comforting possitive helpful and inspirational and very encouraging to our faith and salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ Amen. Gid bless you . Amen. And l like the way you often quote The Pillgrims Progress. I saw the animated cartoon film of it in the spring of 1988 that was one of the different things that the Lord really spoke to me thru it . And l recomited my life redeadicated my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Asked him to be my Personal Lord and saviour and the next year was baptized in his name. And l am really thankful for all he has done in my life. And is still doing . And l am very thankful for your ministry as well as others is a real great help to me in the Lord. Praise God Amen.And very many others as well. God bless you Amen .

[bobbyrice]

This passage in context reads more in line with behavior calls outs of Mathew 5-7 than it does in the idea that salvation is a narrow endeavor. Narrow meaning the few who find it are those that can truely "love their enemy" and pray for them. This isnt a trait for which is contingent on salvation but trait call outs of holy living. Holy Living is not salvific but a measuring tool for the saved. this passage CANNOT be preached in isolation out of context. We are no better than Catholics if we do that. It must be in relation to what Jesus is calling out in the Beatitudes. Otherwise, we could use this to push agenda it was never meant to push. Notice "leads to life" This is not talking about eternal life but life on earth. Same as John 6 where Jesus likens consuming his flesh and blood as life but as a metaphor to his teachings. We as Believers need to be CONSISTANT in our theology and CAREFUL not to warp our theology as a scare tactic. No doubt MANY will be in hell than heaven but its not for THIS reason. Its for rejecting Christ.

John 6:53
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life...

Matthew 7:14
For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life...

These are traits of behavior of the saved. "Life" of salvation. Not life to cause salvation. It absolutely IS this life. You don't talk about finding life from loving your enemy in heaven. Thats pretty weak logic.