Anyone who studies scripture is probably familiar with the following direct quote of Messiah:
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Yeshua Messiah tells us that few will find the narrow path.
And yet, pretty much EVERY SINGLE PERSON I speak with claims to be on the narrow path.
“Men” seem to think it is a crowded place.
Scripture says otherwise, though…
I used to be that arrogant.
Now I pray for Yahuah to guide my steps, and to help me be on the narrow path.
Humility is quite a valuable commodity in scripture:
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of Elohim is the discipline of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 22:4
The reward of humility and fear of Elohim is riches, honor and life.
Psalm 25:9
He guides the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.
Proverbs 3:34
Though He scoffs at the scoffers, He gives grace to the humble.
Isaiah 2:17
The pride of man will be humbled, the arrogance of men abased, for Elohim alone will be exalted in that day.
Claiming with confidence to be on the path that Messiah says is difficult and hard to find requires a level of arrogance that is probably frowned upon in the Kingdom.
Do you take pride in the fact that you are on the narrow path?
Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will gain honor.
If so, you may want to take a deep breath, slow down, and really consider this idea…
Does scripture tell us how narrow the gate is?
Does scripture tell us just how difficult the way to the narrow gate is?
Does scripture tell us just how few will find it?
Unfortunately, no.
Sometimes this walk would be easier if scripture just told us straight up what’s what.
Am I in, or am I not in?
Am I the least in the kingdom, or am I great in the kingdom?
Am I one of the five prepared ‘virgins’, or am I one of the five without oil?
What’s my ranking?
Why isn’t there a website showing us where we stand?
Well, maybe He wants us to strive for it, for all of our days.
Matthew 24:13
“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Philipians 2:12
“…work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
If we “KNOW” we are in, will we get lukewarm?
Revelation 3:16
So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spew you out of My mouth.
I’m asking lots of questions here that I do not have the answers to.
But we do have examples.
How narrow is the path?
I don’t know, but we have a story to observe and evaluate in scripture.
The census recorded in scripture during the Exodus (actually, there were several taken) showed 600,000 men. Add women and children, and we are looking at approximately 2,500,000 or more.
Of these people, how many of them found the narrow path, so to speak?
Of the adults, exactly two men found the narrow path.
Joshua and Caleb.
That’s it.
Only two from the adult generation that began the Exodus.
Wow.
Two men, out of 600,000 men.
Now do you see where I’m going with this?
Yahuah was selective during the Exodus.
It wasn’t a free for all.
Men did not get to decide for themselves if they were in or not.
Even Moses didn’t get to enter the promise land because of his disobedience.
DO YOU SEE WHERE I’M GOING WITH THIS???
How much pride do you have in the fact that you are “on the difficult path, headed for the narrow gate?”
Do you get to choose this for yourself?
Do you get to proclaim this boldy, or do you get to follow Yahuah fully and wholly, and to pray in humbleness to be included?
If only two of Yahuah’s chosen people were able to enter the promise land, then we need to take Yeshua’s warning about the narrow gate very seriously.
Don’t assume you are on the narrow path.
Pray for it.
Seek it in humility.
Every. Single. Day.