Two Roads. Two Destinations.

Church Family:
What if the most dangerous road is not the one that looks openly rebellious, but the one that feels familiar, respectable, and safe? That is what makes Jesus’ words at the end of the Sermon on the Mount so sharp. He is not merely speaking to people outside the church or far from religious things. He is speaking to people like us who hear His words, know His name, and assume we are already standing where we need to be. With great mercy and holy seriousness, Jesus brings every listener to a decision: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13–14).
Jesus’ warning is not directed to atheists. Jesus is speaking to people who call Him "Lord, Lord,” know their Bibles, attend church, and serve in ministry. In Matthew 7:14–23, He describes people who prophesy, cast out demons, and do mighty works in His name; yet He tells them, "I never knew you."
This should shake us. It is possible to hold sound doctrine, exercise spiritual gifts, and stay busy in ministry while still missing Christ Himself. Activity is not the same as new life in Christ. If the gospel has not changed your heart, if it is not producing the fruit of the Spirit in love, holiness, joy, humility, peace, kindness, and self-control, then you may still be standing outside the narrow gate, walking the broad road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:16-17).
In this life there are only two roads, and they lead to two very different destinations. The broad road offers easy words and false assurance, but it ends in destruction; the true gospel calls us onto the narrow road, to repent, trust Christ, deny ourselves, follow Him, and endure in faith. It is not enough to repeat a prayer or point back to a decision from years ago. When Jesus is King, He changes your life. He produces self-denial, obedience, and perseverance as the fruit of salvation.
The narrow road is hard (Matthew 5:14). But understand what the narrow road leads to: life. Jesus said, "This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3). To know God, not just know about Him, is life itself, beginning now on earth as it will be in heaven. Your sins are forgiven, your sin and shame covered by Christ's blood. You are reconciled to God, adopted as His child. The Holy Spirit dwells in you and transforms you from the inside out. This narrow-road life does not promise ease. Rather, trials, suffering, and hardship will come. But in Christ, you have a joy and hope the world cannot give or take away. And this narrow road ends in resurrection: a glorified body and eternal fellowship with God.
This is Jesus’ call for you to examine yourself and enter the narrow gate. Do you truly know Jesus, or just know about Him? Does He know you? Is your faith producing fruit or just religious activity? The gate is narrow but remains open, and it leads to abundant and eternal life.

See you Sunday, on the narrow road: Steve