Jesus describes Himself as the small gate and narrow way to life in Matthew, saying, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
The wide gate and broad path where most people walk is deceptive and inviting. Self loves to travel this path, and his favorite travel companion is the pride of life. The works and achievement of Self through doing better and working harder reinforces the sin of pride and Self-rule. Any and every attempt of a man to claim credit for righteous behavior, or to gain favor from God by his own acts, is a proclamation of Self-rule in the heart of man. Satan continues to whisper his lies and deceptions into a man’s ears to reinforce and strengthen the pride of life in his Self-rule.
But remember Jesus’ words in Luke 9:23, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny [Self], and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Either Jesus rules, or Self rules in a man’s life. It will never suffice to say words of submission to Christ’s lordship, but then act in submission to the lordship of Self. That is the height of hypocrisy and delusion. Those who delude themselves with a Self-driven, works-based salvation will be stunned to hear the truth at the last judgement. Jesus describes this scene in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”
Self must be denied before one can follow Christ, and walk with God. When a man denies Self, pride dies, and the posture of humility toward God is restored. It is only in humility that man can walk with God. Humility is the acknowledgement that God is Creator and man is His creation. God is everything, and as the created being, man is nothing except what His Creator wills. It is in knowing, accepting, and embracing this truth that man walks humbly with God and with his fellow man. In Philippians 2:3, we read, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” We have no greater model of humility than Jesus. The next four verses point us to Him, saying, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).
Humbling oneself, denying yourself, regarding others as more important than yourself – all are very difficult things. This explains why Jesus said the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life. The wide gate and broad way are much easier to walk – but they lead to destruction. So there are your options, choose wisely.
