Which Way is the Right Way?

This is a question that many of us have probably asked ourselves at some point. When faced with a difficult choice—be it regarding a job, a relationship, or any situation—we often feel stuck and uncertain about what to do. This is true for those who do not believe in God as well as those who do, but for everyone, understanding which path to take is crucial, particularly when considering one's salvation. Whether you are Christian or not, we all grapple with this question. However, the most important question you can ask yourself is not which job to take or who to date, but rather: What path are you on?

Matthew 7:13-14 “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. "

There are two gates, according to this verse, a narrow and a wide one; there are also two paths to get to that gate, a narrow road and a Broad road. A number of people enter through it, suggesting the gate's difficulty level and popularity. There is a dual-fold meaning in this verse. I believe this verse speaks to both Christians and unbelievers.

To start with, Christians, assuming that you are saved, you would be trying to take the narrow path, as we know it leads to life. Life in this way can be both physical and spiritual.

I believe that this verse is an encouragement and a warning to Christians: stay on the narrow path, and in every life choice, choose the path that leads you closer to God. Being a Christian will not be easy; you will face many difficulties. That's why the road is narrow; it is harder to walk on a narrow road than on a broad one. John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

A man spreading the gospel to the Gentiles named Ananias was told by the Lord, Acts 9:15-16...“Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.   I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”   As a Christian, just like Annanias, we will suffer for the name of the Lord; that is why that path is narrow.

The last point I think this verse is talking about is that it says, "few find it." Few normally means about three or four, but it is generally used to mean a very small number. I want to really put this in perspective for you. According to nationsgeo.com, there are currently 8,272,858,500 people in the world, a figure that continues to rise. According to worldmetrics.org, of those 8,272,858,500 people, 2.4 billion are Christians. "As of 2023, there are approximately 2.4 billion Christians worldwide, representing 31.2% of the global population."

I just gave some pretty big numbers, but the Bible says only a few will find it, which implies that among all those Christians, only a few will find it. I say this to say that even for Christians, it will be hard to stay on the narrow path and hard to find it. The reason I say this is because in that same chapter, Matthew 7, it says...

 Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.   Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’   Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"

This aligns with Matthew 7:13. We, as Christians, need to consistently do the hard things, not just to say we did them, but to glorify God. This verse says there will be many people who claim Christianity and prophesy or do miracles in the Lord's name, but that is not what will get you into heaven. Only those who do the Father's will.

As for a non-believer, Matthew 7:13 says that the broad way leads to destruction. Many are on that road, so non-believers may feel, "I'm popular, or everyone else is doing it, so it must be okay." God is saying to you that that path will lead to destruction, not to follow others or what they're doing, but to follow God, get off that broad way, and start walking on the narrow way.

Don't let this world fool you, it will distract you with the pleasures of this world, Money, sex, power, etc. But it is an enemy trick and will lead you to death. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, " The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." The god of this age is not God but Satan.

The right path for anyone is the narrow way, whether you're Christian or not. In everything you do, the best way to make a decision is to ask yourself, if this is what God would want you to do. When making any decision, consider the Lord and ensure you are in constant alignment with him. That doesn't mean you'll be perfect, but seek the Lord and try to follow his commands in everything you do.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;    in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 

Whether you are a christian right now, or your not ask yourself : What path are you on?