Matthew 7:13-29

ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE

Keywords 7:13a

Enter through the narrow gate.

 

1. Two ways: wide or narrow (13-14)

In a capitalistic society, people have many choices about everything from food to the color of their car. But there are only two ways to live on the earth: the wide way of the world which leads to destruction, or the narrow way of Jesus, which leads to life. Which way will you take today?

 

2. Two ways in practice (15-29)

Jesus clarifies the two ways of life through three contrasts. The first is between good and bad trees, and the fruit they bear. The narrow way is not behavioral, but a matter of inner motivation. False teachers may look good outwardly, but they destroy. Through the second story, Jesus reveals that the narrow way is the way of growing in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship is based on loving him, not outward spiritual acts (Php 3:10; 1Co 13:1-3). In the final story, Jesus reveals that following the narrow way requires hearing and practicing Jesus’ words in the Bible. Let’s practice the narrow way today.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for opening the way to you, narrow as it is. Help me focus on my inner life and relationship with you, and practical obedience to your word, so I may bear good fruit today.

One Word Practice the narrow way