Christian Living

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RESSURECTION UNTO LIFE: FEW THERE BE...
'Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and few there be that findeth it.' - Jesus Christ

By reason of prophecy, the few that findeth the narrow way can by no means be many. It is a divine proclamation; for the great prince of Heaven had long forseen, that only few shall seek - for everyone that seeketh findeth. Few were not predestined to find, they were forseen. And it is evident in our present world of profanity, that only few seeketh the narrow highway of holiness.

Few there be, who will seek the way of total truth, and tame every tendencies for deceit from within. While the multitude on the broad street of guile would bend the rules, cut every corner, and choose a lie; these few find it impossible to switch their allegiance from the truth. They would not turn aside, for the path they follow is too narrow for such. And in the face of afflictions, when nothing else would work to bring a relief except to use the language of the dragon, to falsify a paper, or 'maketh a lie', for whatever reason, these few will rather carry on in holy hardship, bear with painful endurance the blessed cross of their holy faith, and follow closely the path of Him who has called them to immense light, to the truth; for that is the blessed demand of the way - the narrow way.

Few there be, who would let go of all wrongs, and totally bestow a pardon. The path of forgiveness is rugged. It is unattractive to the many. It is the narrow way of the strenghtend, the few ones strenghtened only by grace. the few willingly asked for grace and strenght, and so were freely given, 'for everyone that ask, receives'. They asked, because for them the malicious broad way of unforgiveness belongs to the proud and haughty. It is the path of the many ensnared in the web of ego, the path of them who are abominable to the Lord. These few, knew so well that refusal to let go would do more harm to their souls than good. In fact, they knew unforgiveness has no good to offer. They knew it is a prison yard, a dungeon of torments designed only for the proud. So, they view offences with the eye of their Savior. They harbour no hate in their bosoms, nor vengeance in their hearts. For them, wrongs are the perfect part of imperfect humanity: for to err is totally human.



These very few, are people of like passions; tempted in every way, equally tried in the furnace of affliction. A momentary pleasure could have been a relief, but they keep echoing the words of the ancient saint, 'how can I do this thing and sin against my God'. They will not attempt to widen the narrow gate, to make provision for the flesh and its lust. No, they will not stretch their lives beyond the limit of the ancient landmark. These very few people of unreserved righteousness, daily say, 'to the old rugged cross, I'll cling'. For them, the way of the cross has a matchless attraction. Daily they contend against the flesh, and detest that which Christ condemns. And by no means, they go not the broad way of the ungodly who nurtue inquity in their hearts like a shepherd tendeth his lamb.


In our materialistic generation; where greed and lust pervades the whole thoughts of men, only few would choose want over wantoness, and prefer to seek the good of others over self. They will rather lack than possess the gains of unrighteousness. They do not after the earthly treasures crave; the earthly treasures which must fade with time. They are aware that someday, when the sun will be darkened and the heavens shall roll away like a scroll with a thundering noise, the elements in them and everything that litters our world shall all be dissolved with intense heat - all in a moment. By and by, all the pride of men and sources of envy; the choicest of cars and finest of shelters, will be gone in the twinkling of an eye. For the things that are seen are in no doubt temporal.
These few, however, in spite of the vainness of our mundane labours, do not lazy about without ambition. They have excellent but guided ambition, and are very diligent in their duties. And when through providence, they become people of legitimate riches and of great wealth; they do not put their trust in them. For them, life is more than the abundance of earthly substances. So, they store up the treasures in the heavenly bank; where there is no theft or decay. This they do, by dispersing abroad in kindness their possessions, and thus serve God with compassion; giving succor to the needy in the household of faith and other unprivileged sons of men.

Few there be, who stopped not only at believing, but press further to working out their salvation with fear and trembling. In as much as they know that 'the just shall live by faith', they also know, that faith without [good] work is dead'. And that no flesh shall be justified before God by the deeds of righteousness but through grace, yet they ask, 'shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?' God forbid! And so, they walk daily worthy of the holy calling into which they are called - their most holy faith. They are the holy nation, holy unto the holy God.


These few, peradventure humanness lures them to error, for they are capable of common failings inherent in us, they feel an intense sorrow and heavy conviction in their spirit. The Spirit faithfully convicts them. And they, without delay, go in humble plea before their Lord for a pardon. They have a contrite heart, and upon them sweet forgiveness is bestowed.


Space and time will not permit to mention further, the many saintly attributes of these few. Their virtues are just endless. In truth, Heaven reckons with these few as Christians indeed. Truly, they shall be counted worthy of resurrection to life.

But what shall we say, concerning the multitude in the broad way to eternity? What shall we say of the many, both churched and unchurched, that findeth not the narrow way because they seeketh it not? These multitude find religion and good works sufficient for pilgrimage, and with such they are content. They may speak with the tongues of angels, join in singing the hymnals of the saints or even prophesy and cast out a legion of demons. But, shall these not be the 'many [that] will say to me on that day, 'Lord, in your name... But I shall say unto them, '...depart from me...'

Further contemplation of this text is so humbling. Thus, I make it my goal and earnest petition, to be part of these few, to seek the narrow highway. And everyone that seeks shall surely find, Jesus promised. Let us therefore seek the narrow highway of holiness, and walk therein.
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- Abd Al-Sobur Wale Folarin

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