Judging between two paths

"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

This verse requires believers to be discerning to judge between two paths: the path than leads to destruction and the path that leads to life.

That many judge wrongly and end up on the path that leads to destruction—and only a few correctly chose the path that leads to life—serves as a sober warning that we must be very careful when making this judgment. The reason why the path that leads to destruction is so popular is that it appeals to the sinful nature in every naturally born person. The path to destruction promises happiness, never holiness.

The narrow path that leads to life is the path of faith in Christ and Christian discipleship. This path is less appealing to the natural man because it is not about happiness. It is the path that demands self-denial and a cross (Matthew 16:24). But it is the only path that leads to life (Matthew 16:25).

Besides making the right choice when it comes to following Jesus or not, even after we are saved we must choose between the paths numerous times every day. It’s called dealing with temptation. As I am sure every believer knows, Christians continue to be tempted by thousands of minor decisions throughout our lives, even after we have been born again and are following Jesus as Lord.

We must never stop exercising spiritual discernment in these judgments regarding these two paths this side of glory!