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Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13–14
D.L. MOODY
Many a man would be willing to enter into the kingdom of God if he could do it without giving up sin. A man may become a disciple of Muhammad and continue to live in the foulest, blackest, deepest sin; but a man cannot be a disciple of Christ without giving up sin.
ERWIN LUTZER
What Moody said about Islam is true and also applies to other religions. How? All religions, except Christianity, are based on self-effort. Even religions claiming to seek God’s help teach that we must make ourselves worthy of such grace and forgiveness. In other words: All other religions insist we must wash our hearts with the dirty, sin-infested water already existing within the human heart. But the sins remain.
One reason that the message of the cross is offensive is that it teaches our complete inability to save ourselves. All we can do is to receive what has already been provided for us in Christ. As I like to remind people, the issue is never the wickedness of our hearts, but the wonder of the gospel that changes our desires and gives us the righteousness of Christ.
This might explain why Jesus said that the way to hell is broad but the way to heaven is narrow. The gospel is a free gift, but it’s a difficult gift to receive because it requires us to admit to our inability to save or cleanse ourselves; it is the final admission that self salvation cannot actually save. And, yes, in turning to Christ, we are turning our backs on sin.
Islam requires its followers to be slaves to Muhammad’s teaching; Christianity teaches we must become slaves of Christ, a joyful slavery, no longer dominated by our sinful, evil hearts.
PRAYER
Father, keep me from the temptation to envy those on the broad way with their acceptance of sin and worldly pleasures. I choose the narrow way of your kingdom.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What does Jesus mean when He says the way is narrow?
Why is it difficult for people to admit they cannot save themselves?