How Narrow Is Narrow?

After a lot of conversations with a lot of different religious people, a thought popped into my head one day: how narrow is it actually?

You probably already know which part of Scripture I’m referring to, but if not, it’s in Matthew 7, where Jesus talks about how narrow and hard the path is that leads to life, and that few find it. He also says the path to destruction is wide and easy.

STOP.

Before we go any further, go read this for yourself in the Bible.

DO NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR THIS.

You might be wondering why people like us always tell you to go read it for yourself. That’s because we want you in God’s Word, but also because you should never just take someone else’s word for it. Go seek the truth in the Bible and pray about it.

Okay, good. So you went and read it.

What got me thinking, though, is how many people we think are on the narrow way to life but are actually on the opposite, the wide way to destruction.

Now how can someone be on the path to destruction and not look like it?

Because after all, those people on the path to destruction are supposed to be the ones who don’t attend a service, don’t have a church membership, they have tattoos, drink, do drugs, sleep around, and don’t believe in God. You know the type, right?

Well, I’m ashamed to say I thought I did too.

Growing up, people on the narrow way “looked good” or “talked good.” But once I broke free from religion and gave that up, I started realizing that some of those good-looking, good-talking people are actually on the wide path.

Now how can someone who says they love God, they say they are saved by Jesus, go to church, and serve in the community possibly be on the wide path to destruction?

Because if you think Jesus is not enough, then you’re on it.

How can I possibly know this?

Because I live it every day.

The world hates me because I follow Jesus.

Religious people and leaders hate me because I ONLY follow Jesus.

Before you start shaking your head at that last part, sadly, it’s true. I’ve lived it. No one is okay with it when they’re in religion and you’re not. Once you break free and start living only for Jesus, you realize just how narrow it really is.

I’m sad to say I can count on one hand how many people I know that honestly believe it’s about a relationship, and how religion actually hinders it. And yes, I only have five fingers on one hand. Many claim it, but live differently.

And I get it. You grew up in it. It’s all you know. Or it’s what you think “saved” you.

But now I completely understand why that verse is in the Bible. But at the same time, it’s heartbreaking.

There are so many on the wide path who think they’re on the narrow one because Satan has deceived them into believing that religion is the same as a relationship.

You might say, “Well, mine doesn’t.” Oh Yes, it does.

Why do you have a title?

Why do you have a system?

Why the rules, Why the dress code?

Why put someone above another, like a preacher?

And the biggest one, why the division? And no, it’s not because you need the building five minutes closer to your house.

I could go on and on.

But Jesus and God do not live in a box.

A relationship with Jesus is freeing, not binding.

We talk to a lot of people about Christ and religion, because if you haven’t caught on yet, that’s our calling from Christ. And the more you talk to people, the more you realize what path they’re on.

If this article makes you mad or makes you shake your head, I ask you to do one thing:

Ask yourself why.

Why is encouraging people to make sure they have a relationship with Christ such a bad thing?

Why does the way we talk about religion upset you?

Ask yourself those questions, and be honest.

That’s all Joe and I ever want to do is to encourage people to seek Christ and Him only, and to live a full, Christ-filled life.

If you have an issue with that, then I’m sorry, you may be on the wide path yourself. And I pray you can die to self, pick up YOUR CROSS, truly break free from Satan, and run, yes, RUN into Jesus’ open arms.

I promise you: you will never, ever regret it.

Now remember this part from earlier?

“Because after all, those people on the path to destruction are supposed to be the ones who don’t attend a service, don’t have a church membership, they have tattoos, drink, do drugs, sleep around, and don’t believe in God.”

I know you’re going to take that out of context, so let me make this very clear.

I am not saying that if you attend a service, you’re on the wide path.

But if you think attending does something to save your soul, or if you value the words of the person speaking over Jesus, then yes, you’re not on the right path.

I’m not saying that having a church membership puts you on the wide path. Heck, I’ve had a few myself in the past. But if you believe you need one, need to belong to that system, and think it’s biblical and good, then I’m going to say you’re on the wrong path.

I’m not saying that having tattoos puts you on the wrong path. But I ask you: what is your heart behind them? That’s between you and God. If you put something evil on your body, God’s temple, then you’re probably not on the right path.

I’m not saying drinking alcohol automatically puts you on the wrong path. But it can lead you there very quickly, and I ask: why would you want that? Again, It’s between you and God.

I’m not saying drug use automatically puts you on the wrong path… and trust me, I rewrote that line four times. The Bible doesn’t say, “Don’t do cocaine,” but it does say to be sober-minded. Weed and coke are not the same thing, but again, where is your heart? Why are you choosing it?

I once had a guy tell me, “Mushrooms make me closer to God.”

I replied, “No, they just make you feel closer.”

Being and feeling are not the same thing. Moving on…..

I’m not saying people who have slept around are automatically on the wrong path. But if you’re actively living that lifestyle, then yes, they call the wide path easy for a reason. STOP IT. Pull your pants up and go find Jesus.

Messing up once doesn’t lock you onto the path of destruction forever. Only Jesus puts you on the narrow path, but it is your choice to walk it.

And yes, if you don’t believe in God, you are 1000% on the wide road to destruction. That one’s a given.

I do not want my words taken out of context about something this important.

I know for a fact God put this on my heart and opened my eyes to how narrow the road really is, and how much work I have ahead of me as a Christ follower to show Jesus to people on both sides: religion and the world.

And how amazing it is that I get to serve Christ like this every day. My identity is in Him. I’ve found my true calling, and it’s incredible letting Him use me, and everything around me, to show His love.

If something in this article reached you, upset you, or confused you, I’m always willing to sit down, talk, have a phone call, or even dinner, whatever you prefer.

Remember this:

Jesus loves you.

The right path is narrow and hard. But God is walking beside you every step of the way.

All you have to do is take the first step onto the right path.

~ Ann Lester ~