Wide and Narrow

“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

This morning, I am writing this to address my shame. I’m obsessed with my new phone. Seriously. I waste hours on it over nonsense. Sometimes, I listen to podcasts, sure, but mostly, I spend time scrolling through social media and reels, or playing games on apps. I say this because it is a problem, and I need prayer. Our society wants us to be plugged in all the time, and I’m buying in without ever intending to. In watching TV, the commercials draw us to Artificial Intelligence (AI), to solve all of our problems, give us every answer, and keep us plugged in. Loved ones, it’s a trap. Our technology is a tool, neither good nor bad, but how it is used DOES matter. And, what is more, how the people who program them desire to program us matters. We are becoming dumbed down and numbed to that which is harmful to us. I’m doing all I can to buy out.

In thinking about all of this, I find it funny that in an age where information is fed to us, when someone thinks for themselves, or does something different than everyone else, they’re considered strange at best, or, at worst, labeled as a “freethinker” and made to be an enemy by many.  We allow our views to be distorted and twisted, and allow ourselves to be divided by politics, skin color, socioeconomic status, and many other ways besides. In many regards, this helps me to understand Jesus’ statement that “wide is the gate to destruction.” It’s the path that everyone is going down, which is why he also calls us to seek the narrow path, the one that is difficult, and that few find. And why do few find it? The wide path is easy. It’s the “Go with the flow” path that is easy to follow everyone else down. The Narrow path is difficult to travel, a stairway of twists and turns, and narrow ledges, perhaps. I don’t want the easy way. I want the road less traveled, that narrow path that will lead me to life. If everyone who goes toward destruction calls me a lunatic for heading in the opposite direction, so be it. By God’s Word and His Spirit, I’ll still travel the narrow path, even if none go with me.

Philippians 2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.