The Narrow Way

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Matthew 7:13-14

Few words are more offensive today than saying, “Jesus Christ is the ONLY way one may receive eternal life and have a true relationship with God the Father.” This is seen as judgmental, bigoted, and hateful. People say it is presumptuous to think that there is only one way to God. Some try to soften this by saying that Jesus is the best way. Some go even further to say that there are many ways to God. Others try to make this teaching less offensive by pleading ignorance saying that perhaps there is an unknown way so maybe God does not send unrepentant sinners to an eternal judgment. There is not one shred of biblical evidence that God has provided any other way than through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
 
Is it unkind or arrogant to say that Jesus is the only way to the Father? We can answer this in a few different ways. First, think logically about this. Two contradictory ideas cannot both be true at the same time in the same relationship. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). The Apostle Peter reaffirmed this saying, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The Bible does not allow for any other way other than through Jesus. If Jesus and the Apostles said Jesus is the only way and he is not, then they are wrong. If they are wrong about something so foundational then the entire Bible is wrong as well. Further, Christianity and other religions disagree and contradict each other on how one encounters God (some wonder if God even exists) and has eternal life. They cannot both be right. Logically One is right and the others are wrong, or they are all wrong, but they cannot all be right.
 
Secondly, we should be amazed that God provided ANY way to be forgiven and have a relationship with him. God is perfect in his being, absolutely holy, without stain or blemish, and completely just. We are sinful beings whose sin has touched every aspect of our lives, and we live out those sinful tendencies every day. If we were to demand of God that he give us what we deserve, we would instantly face judgment and be punished for our sins. Even if God has chosen not to save anyone he would still be perfectly just. We would all face the consequences of our actions.
 
Is God saving some and not all an injustice? No, all those who come to Christ receive non-justice. Those who reject Christ receive justice. No one receives injustice. Grace is undeserved favor and mercy is God having compassion on those who are in a desperate plight. We could do nothing to save ourselves so God did what we could not. He provided a way so that he would be both just and the justifier of those who believe in him. Everyone who comes to Christ receives forgiveness and begins a relationship with God that lasts forever. However, because of sin we find that many people prefer the broad way that ultimately leads to destruction.