Psalm 125:5

Psalm 125:5

The two roads

The Bible is very clear; there are two roads that we can pursue in our lives. The righteous way or the wicked way. Jesus talked about this, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14.

Notice that it’s not just the “ways” that are broad or narrow, it is also the gates that lead to these ways. A wide gate allows all sorts of possibilities, all sorts of religion, all sorts of beliefs and behaviours, it is all-inclusive, it permits diversity and inclusivity. Sadly, even churches today offer wide gates for congregations, all are welcome, all faiths are valid, all beliefs are tolerated. Those who follow such crooked ways will find themselves judged and banished with evildoers; they have not walked upon the way that leads to life.

A narrow gate is only wide enough for one person to squeeze through. We enter the Kingdom of God, one at a time, by choice and at the point that we respond to God’s call. The invitation to enter comes from heaven and it demands that we humble ourselves, recognise our sinful state and throw ourselves on God’s mercy. In return He will forgive our sins, wash us clean and grant us the gift of life. It’s a no-brainer, but few choose this way, most are too proud or cannot accept the cost of handing over their lives to a higher being. 

Israel was chosen, they were taken through a narrow gate and a narrow path through the Red Sea. They learned obedience and faith in the wilderness wasteland and eventually the Lord God rewarded them with a safe haven, their own land. But, to this day, they have had to fight to retain it, and the land and its people have constantly been at war. That is why we pray that “Peace be on Israel.” May God’s peace be on you and me too, for we have to fight, every day of our lives, for the narrow way is a way of conflict and at times, solitary plodding. But it is the way that leads to life. May God go with us on our journey and may His peace be with us.

 

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