Straight Paths and the Narrow Road of Worship

Jesus directed his followers to pursue him through the narrow gate. The narrow gate opens to a narrow road that leads to life. The narrow gate is not as appealing as the wide gate. The wide gate is the gate that accommodates the crowd. It is the one that offers enticement and intrigue. The wide gate boldly flies it banner – “You only go around once!”  There are many objects worthy of your worship. Enjoy as many as you can.

 

The narrow gate leads to truth. Instead of a multitude of things to worship, there is only one Who is worthy.  Not surprisingly, few desire such a restriction. Worshiping one God to the exclusion of all others is too narrow, too boring. 

 

Christ’s words vividly connect to the words of Solomon in Proverbs. The way of wisdom is one of straight, narrow paths.  Along this narrow road there are no stumbling blocks of false, counterfeit gods. This is the path of wisdom. 

 

While wisdom is not glamorous, it has its own appeal. It is the way of life. Your children are born to respond to the bright banner of the wide gate. Show them the beauty of wisdom. Show them the narrow road. Live it before your children with joy. Don’t misrepresent the narrow way by depicting it as boring drudgery. Rejoice that God has called you to the road of life. Warn them of the real message on the bold banner: 

 

You only go around once, then you die.

 

 

 

I instruct you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.

 

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4:12-13

 

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  Matthew 7:13-14

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