Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

We have already seen that these two verses are referring to the two paths a child of God can take in his life here on earth. Jesus is not teaching “decisional salvation.” Those that believe that doctrine, use this verse to teach that there are not very many children of God. In fact, they judge that those doomed to eternal destruction far out number those that will live in glory.

This is not true.

Consider what John saw in heaven:

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Revelation 7:9-10

Further, the spiritual children of Abraham are said to be a number like the stars of heaven and sands of the seashore.

God has a very specific number of elect that will be with Him. But that number is huge!

It is unfortunate but true that many of God’s people choose to live in unthankful disobedience. They may serve Him at times but they give in to the temptations of the world too often.

Jesus even told His disciples it was going to be this way. What is commonly called the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13, Mark 4, & Luke 8) is actually a lesson focusing on the soils. All four types of soil are born again children of God. Some prepare themselves more than others to hear the message of the gospel. Three of the four groups show only temporary benefit in the gospel or none at all. The fourth group shows growth but in drastically varying degrees.

If Jesus Himself said that the work of the gospel minister was going to be a difficult one, we should not expect it to be a successful effort all the time.

The Bible is filled with examples of God’s people walking by faith and then immediately turning away from God to follow the broad way of this world. These examples are not in the Bible to give us an excuse to sin. In fact, the consequences of destruction in the lives of those children of God is recorded in the Bible as well! These examples are here for us to learn by their mistakes.

We need to heed the charge of Joshua enter into the strait gate and walk the narrow way.

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:14-15