The Two Ways 

   “Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are many.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and those who find it are few in number.” (Matt 13 – 14) 

   The wide road may be faster and less bothersome, but it leads only to perdition and never to God’s kingdom.  There is, however, a path that will take us there.  It is a narrow path that may be difficult at times.  We must be willing to accept His will for us whether it be joy and happiness or pain and sorrow.  We must be willing to pick up our cross and follow Jesus.

   Many want to enter heaven, but they aren’t willing to walk the difficult path to get there.  They balk at the hardships they may have to endure, the times that test their faith and trust in God.  They want the prize, but they aren’t willing to make the effort required to achieve it.  They want to get there but they want to do so on an easy path.  Sadly, they will be sorely disappointed when they stand before the Lord on judgement day.

   This scripture also tells us very plainly that few will find the narrow gate and enter.  We often pray that all souls be brought to heaven and so we should.  But those who choose the easy path will never get there.  Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my heavenly Father.” (Matt 7: 21).

   Once again we come to the choices we must make.  Only by choosing God and His will can we reach heaven.  Only if we are willing to walk the difficult road can we get there.  Even if we cry 'Lord, Lord,' we are lost unless we follow the path laid out for us by God.

   The choice is ours and ours alone.  Will we choose heaven or hell?