BROAD WAY LIVING

Proverbs 16:25, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

Matthew 7:13, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.  For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.”

You can believe what you want and behave as you like on the broad way, the problem lies with its destination.  It is a well-traveled path.  The sons and daughters of Adam have a natural affinity for it (Romans 5:12; Colossians 1:21).  They are drawn to it.  That path is well-worn—the footsteps of countless generations have left their mark and the path is easy to follow.

The world, the flesh, and the Devil are glad to direct souls along that way (Ephesians 2:1-3).  Imagine it to be as a great multi-land freeway crammed with travelers.  Rush hour traffic is the rule.  People speed along the path, passing others at every opportunity, rushing “helter-skelter to destruction with their fingers in their ears.”  The Devil, the great deceiver, serves as tour guide, and keeps broad way travelers blinded to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:4).  The world, in its anti-God sentiment, entices weary travelers and keeps them hemmed in (1 John 2:15-16).  Most heroes and public figures (entertainers, politicians, many educators) of our day are proponents of the broad way--they tout its benefits as to fortune, fame, and fun.  All beliefs and behaviors are accepted on the broad path—anything and everything is tolerated except serious talk of Jesus and His cross.   People encourage each other along the way.  No one stops to ask where the path is headed.  It seems “right to a man” and that enough for them (Proverbs 16:25).

It is a hopeless and unhappy pathway (Ephesians 2:12), but no one seems to notice or care.  Broad way travelers are given to humanistic pride, selfishness, violence, greed and all kinds of sinful maladies (Romans 1:28-31; 2 Timothy 3:2-5).  Though enslaved in sin (John 8:34), they trumpet their supposed freedom to do as they please.  The strong bonds of sin’s enslavement constrain them to the path.  Everyone does what is right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

Billboards line the path with messages like: “There is no god (Psalm 14:1),” “What is truth (John 18:38)?”; and “If it feels good, do it.”  The unhappy travelers along the way give “hearty approval” to those who practice broad way living (Romans 1:32).  “Fools who march to win the right to justify their sin” defy their creator (Romans 1:18-27).  And everyone agrees that with so many following the path it surely must be the right way to go.

That destruction lies at the end of the path is without question. One by one broad way travelers fall untethered into an unfathomable abyss.  Their pain of their sin-burdened, short-lived lives pales in comparison to the agony of the Christ-less eternity that awaits each and every one (2 Thessalonians 1:9; Luke 16:24).  Though millions have gone that way, still “death and destruction are never satisfied” (Proverbs 27:20).

Most travel that path.  But there is another.  The path less-traveled knows of its own challenges and obstacles.  It is the path that Jesus, “the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2), first traveled.  It took Him to the cross.  He died there for broad way travelers, to rescue them from that evil way (Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15).  He rose from the dead victorious over sin, and death, and the devil himself (Hebrews 2:14-15; Colossians 2:14).

The entrance to the narrow way is through a narrow gate.  Despite the deceiver’s claim, there is but One Way of salvation—by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9).  He is well-pleased to rescue lost sinners and put them on the better path (1 Timothy 2:4).  The narrow way leads to life—eternal and abundant (John 3:36; 10:10). 

Life on the narrow way is characterized by adherence to the truth.  Love for Jesus, love for others, and obedience marks the lives of the narrow way travelers (1 John 3:10; John 14:15).  Though they be mocked and threatened (2 Timothy 3:12), their provision and protection along the way is assured (Romans 8:32, 37).  God Himself will bring all narrow way travelers “safely home to His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:8).  They will “marvel at” Him (2 Thessalonians 1:10).

The prodigal son was a broad way traveler, but then he came to his senses (Luke 15:17).  The thief on the cross was too, ‘til his eyes were opened to the truth (Luke 23:42).  Saul of Tarsus was on the broad way (there are plenty of religious folks on that way), until Jesus met him and changed his life (Acts 9:1-19; 1 Timothy 1:12-17).  What about you?  Do you know the destination of the path you are now traveling?  Jesus holds forth this invitation to all broad way people: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My load is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).  Jesus can put you on the better path.

Pastor Jerry