The Narrow Way # 2

The Narrow Way # 2

1. What is denoted by this figure of the "narrow gate?" We believe the reference is to the searching and solemn teaching of Him who is Truth Incarnate. It is only as the heart bows to the righteousness of God's claims and demands upon us, as set forth by His Son - that any soul can enter that path which alone leads to Him. While the heart is rebellious against Him - there can be no approach to Him, for, "Can two walk together except they be agreed?"

It is true, blessedly and gloriously, true, that Christ Himself is "the Door" (John 10:9), and He is so in a threefold way, according to the three principal functions of His mediatorial office. He is "the Door" into God's presence as the Prophet, the Priest, and the King. Now it is only as Christ is truly received as God's authoritative Prophet, only as His holy teachings are really accepted by a contrite heart, that any one is prepared to savingly welcome Him as Priest. Christ is the "Way" and "the Truth" before He is the "Life" (John 14:6), as He is "first King of righteousness, and after words, His cleansing blood is only available for those who are willing to throw down the weapons of their warfare against God, and surrender themselves to His holy rule. The wicked must forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, if he is to be pardoned by God (Isaiah 55:7); and this is only another way of saying that Christ must be received as prophet, before He is embraced as Priest.

2. Why is this gate a "narrow" one?  For at least three reasons:

First, because of sin. "The wicked shall be turned into hell, all the nations that forget God" (Psalm 9:17). The gate of heaven is far too narrow to admit such characters. The New Testament plainly affirms the same fact: "For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a  man is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them!" (Ephesians 5:5-7).

Second, because of the Law. There are two principal errors about the Law, and I know not which is the more dangerous and disastrous: that one can earn heaven by obeying it; that one may enter heaven without that personal and practical godliness which the Law requires. "Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). Where there is not this personal conformity to the will of God - the strong hand of the Law will close the door of heaven.

Third, because none can take the world along with him: this Gate is far too "narrow" to admit those who love the world.

3. What is meant by "entering" this narrow gate? First, the acceptance of those teachings of truth, of duty, of happiness, which were unfolded by Christ - the honest and actual receiving into the heart of His holy, searching, flesh-whithering instructions. This is like a person, with great difficulty, forcing his way through a very narrow entrance way. I say "with great difficulty," for Christ's precepts and commandments are, to the last degree, unpalatable to an unrenewed heart, and cannot be willingly and gladly received without a rigid denial of "self" and relinquishment of sinful pleasures, pursuits, and interests. Christ has plainly warned us that it is impossible for a man to serve two masters. "Self" must be repudiated, and Christ must be received as "the Lord" (Colossians 2:6), or He will not save us.

SECOND, a deliberate abandoning of the Broad Road, or the flesh-pleasing mode of life. Until this has been done, there is no salvation possible for any sinner. Christ Himself taught this plainly in Luke 15 - the "prodigal" must leave the "far country" before he could journey to the Father's House! The same pointed truth is taught again in James 4:8-10, "Draw near to God - and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord - and He will lift you up."

Ah, my friend, to really and actually enter this "Narrow Gate" is no easy matter! For that reason the Lord bade the people "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life!" (John 6:27).

Those words do not picture salvation as a thing of simple and easy attainment. Ponder also Christ's emphatic exhortation in Luke 13:24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow gate, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." That He should utter such a statement, clearly implies that there are formidable difficulties and obstacles to  be overcome, and that slothful nominal professors will surely not enter in. Let it be carefully noted that the Greek word for "strive" (namely, "agonizomai") in Luke 13:24 is the same one that is used in 1 Corinthians 9:25, "And everyone that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things;" and is also rendered "laboring fervently" in Colossians 4:12, and "fight" in 1 Timothy 6:12!

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 3)