Narrow Path

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Narrow path is neither the way of legalism not the way of lawlessness.... legalism is basing our right standing with GOd based on activities rather then Jesus Himself... in other words following additional rules, activities, man-made traditions above God's Word and Holy Spirit.

Matthew 7:22
"Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?"

Works righteousness is aform of legalism... belongs also to the broad path... works righteousness means going back to system of rules that God did not demand to base our standing before GOd.. this is also known as own righteousness or self righteousness Legalism is also an outlet of the flesh...

Mark 7:8a
For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.

Romans 10:3
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

Legalism would cause christians to fall from grace... in other words from falling from a position of favor and blessing in Jesus....

Galatians 5:4
You have become estrangled from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace.

Legalism is also an outlet for the flesh... Jesus rebuked the pharisees for praying to put up a show... for pretense and hypocrisy to have glory from man...

Galatians 6:12
As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

So we see examples that being legalistic or doing additional things in the name of GOd is not God's Will...

Galatians 6:13
For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

We see legalism and lawlessness combined in the pharisees...

Legalism is not the way of narrow path.... neither is lawlessness... Lawlessness is abusing God's grace to gratify one's fleshly pleasure.... many forms of lawlessness... one can be legalistic and even lawless at the same time.... the pharisees were legalistic and lawless in their hearts...

Matthew 7: 23
And then I will declare to them, I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!

Matthew 23:28
Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Lawlessness is also using liberty for the flesh... so wats the narrow way?

Narrow way is following Jesus... Jesus said not to go back to legalism... also not to use liberty for the flesh... the narrow way is also the life of liberty... and freedom... not freedom to sin... but freedom from legalism... freedom to follow Jesus and Holy Spirit...

Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do nto be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Narrow way is also where we find His yoke which is easy... and His burden light.... Matthew 7 says that the narrow way is difficult which leads to life means there will be persecution and trials... Jesus was persecuted by religion in His days... we will be persecuted by legalistic people of our day... Jesus was loved by many sinners but He din compromised with them.... we will see that in the narrow way too.... there will be sufferings... but there will be a yoke that is easy.. and a burden that is light... Legalism unsettles the believers heart.... the gospel liberates and sets free... thats the reason Paul was persecuted.... by the Jews... by the religious people... cos Paul preach to set them free... not freedom to sin... freedom from legalism.... Legalism unsettles ur heart... making demands that GOd didnt make...

Acts 15:24
Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying "You must be circumcised and keep the law" - to whom we gave no such commandment.

I want encourage all believers to walk the narrow path.. follow Jesus... however never go to legalism... since legalism sounds hard and cold and makes it similar to carrying the cross... following legalism is never the same as picking your cross and following Jesus... that was what Jesus and Paul was against.... Following Jesus has sufferings and persecution... that is carrying the cross... carrying the cross has obedience to Jesus... not legalism... its very close... we must differentiate... cos God has given us a sound mind and not spirit of fear to know wat it meant by carrying the cross.... legalism is not carrying the cross and following Jesus and walking the narrow path.... neither is lawlessness... narrow path is following Jesus... His yoke is easy... His burden is light... even in the midst of persecution and sufferings... we still enjoy liberty and freedom in the Spirit.. and we rejoice in the midst of it.... Hallelujah!

So after we have been saved by grace thru faith in Jesus... we have peace with GOd... and we follow the peace of God on a daily basis... this is the narrow path... in the narrow path there is peace... righteousness... joy... when we believe by faith in Jesus... we enter the narrow path.. and we keep believing in Jesus and following Him.. and praying to Him for directions and He will guide us daily.... and there will be sufferings... there sill be hope deferred... there will be persecution... but the yoke is easy... the burden is light.... when you sin in the narrow path... quickly repent and ask for forgiveness and receive GOD's mercy... and continue walking in the narrow path by believing in Jesus and following Him... remember... salvation is a gift by grace... we cant earn it... only can receive by believing in Jesus... so after that... we walk in narrow path by following Him thru Holy Spirit... and keep believing in hope for God's promises.... and Jesus will come back for His church....

Revelation 7:9-10
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, af all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues, standing before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, sayng, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.