The Truth Works: Why Few Enter The Narrow Way

In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus spoke of two possible roads to travel. One is entered by a “strait” gate and is a narrow way. The other has a wide gate and broad way. The narrow way leads to life, but the broad way leads to the destruction of hell. Jesus made an arresting statement about the road to life when he said, “Few there be that find it.” Jesus made this statement and He knows for a fact that this is the truth! Why is it that few enter the narrow way? Consider a few possible reasons.

Some fail to enter because they have been falsely taught that it is impossible to find life because they are predestinated to destruction by God. Many people’s minds are filled with Calvinistic teachings that everything which happens in life is predestined by God. If true, wouldn’t this also include those who end up in hell?

The truth is that God wants all men to be saved, and is not willing that any should perish. (1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9) The gospel is God’s power to save. (Romans 1:16) Christ’s invitation to find the narrow way is to everyone. (Matthew 11:28-30, Revelation 22:17)

Others fail to find the narrow way, because they mistakenly believe that the Bible cannot be understood as to know how to enter the “strait” gate. Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17) God is not unjust to command us to understand His will, and then makes the Bible non-understandable. Jesus said, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” (John 7:17)

Some will not enter the narrow way because they have not been taught. And, who is it that Jesus sends to teach the lost? Yes, it is His disciples. (Mark 16:15-16) The saved are to bring the gospel to the unsaved. Christ’s disciples must give them warning. (Ezekiel 3:17-21)

Further, few people find the narrow way due to their own prejudice. Prejudice is “an opinion, usually unfavorable, formed before a careful examination.” The way Jesus taught to enter the “strait” gate is by belief in Him as the Son of God (John 8:24), repentance from sin (Luke 13:3), confessing Him as Christ (Matthew 10:32-33), and baptism into Christ. (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Galatians 3:26-27) Some have heard the above truth preached, but allow prejudice to prevent serious consideration. Prejudicial statements like, “What was good enough for my parents is good enough for me”, “We are all working for the same place, just following different roads”, and “One doesn’t have to be a member of a church”, keep many from finding the way to life!

Some seek to enter the narrow way while trying to take the world with them. The Lord’s narrow way is too narrow to accommodate the world’s cherished sins like dancing, drinking, gambling, cursing, lying and hatred. Repentance is necessary. (Acts 17:30; 11:18) We are not to love the world. (1 John 2:15-17)

Some will not find the narrow way due to procrastination. They procrastinate learning the truth so as to know how to be saved. Other people procrastinate deciphering between error and what is truth. Some which know the truth will still procrastinate to obey it and die unprepared. Paul said, “Now is the accepted time.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)