Devotionals

There is Only One Choice!

by Henry Jaegers
05/04/21
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JESUS SAID, FOLLOW ME: What happens next?

There is Only One Choice!
By Henry Jaegers

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13,14)

The verses before us, are part of the concluding section called, “Christians under the judgment of God" found in chapter 7 of Matthew. On this matter, let me clarify that Christians are not under condemnation but we seriously live our lives, realizing there is a type of judgment that we all will face whether we are Christians or not, and someday we will be called to give an account of our stewardship. Therefore, we live in recognition of this. That we all must someday stand before God.

As though the teachings on the Sermon on the Mount were not probing enough, this final section beginning in verse 13, causes us to come to a halt and begin some serious self-examination. One would think that this section of Scripture at the closing of the Sermon would be less stringent, but in fact, it is the most probing of all and we must not take them lightly.

As I have contemplated the message of these verses, I have concluded that I need to present this in more than one section, to help us fully grasp the serious matter of what it means to be a follower of Christ.

At first, one is tempted to look at this verse of Scripture as offering us one of two ways to which we must make a choice. But by understanding what it means to be a Christian, there is one choice only, and that choice is to enter the straight and narrow way which begins at the cross and narrows in our journey to obtain the riches of Glory.

Now when I say that there is one choice, this is why I am saying this. As to the “broad way,” that leads to destruction, we do not have to choose regarding this. We were born into the “broadway” (it is the way of the flesh) that leads to destruction. We did not make a choice, it was our inheritance. The call before us is to help us understand how Broadway” begins at a natural birth. It requires no effort, nor does it require any discipline, and it doesn't require any difficulty.

It is the way that we are prone to walk in the light of our sinful, carnal desires which have been with us since birth. When we think about it, the only choice we have in this matter is to leave it. We must believe it because if we do not make that choice, we will be heading in the same direction as the rest of those who didn't make that choice and will wind up going over the precipice which leads to eternal destruction.

Upon given careful consideration to this matter, do you entertain the idea that once you chose to be a follower of Jesus, you already, automatically are on the narrow way? If we have entertained false ideas regarding the cross, Heaven, and eternal life, and have believed all the false prophets who told you only that following Jesus was the easy way? Think again!

It is not my purpose through these teachings to cause you to question your sincerity or choice to follow Jesus. But did anyone ever tell you beforehand that it was a straight and narrow way and difficult as well?

So, as we close, let me do so by asking, which way are you traveling?

In our next studies in following Jesus, I will talk more about the ‘Broadway” and end with another section on what it means to walk the narrow way. There is much to learn in studying this matter so, stay tuned, for further evaluation on “walking the Straight and Narrow Way.