“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Matthew 7:14

There are countless people who believe there are “many” ways to get to heaven. We can see this evidenced in numerous religions out there that promise eternal life in heaven. These religions (and personal opinions) give false hope of eternal life because they do not teach there is only One way; Jesus.

Jesus spent much time teaching, and the most important thing He came to reveal was the truth about eternity. He taught about the Strait Gate. After telling of the importance of entering in at the strait gate, He explained: “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). This Strait Gate leads to life, yet few find it (it is also called the door of the sheep in John 10:7). Jesus is that Gate (Door). This is a picture of Salvation through faith in Jesus. Those who enter by “other” ways, think they are heading to life eternal. When one rejects Jesus, they often choose an easier path than the strait and narrow path that Jesus requires. 

That is why while continuing in the Christian life, one will find other people who declare they are a Christian, yet who do not hold the truth of God’s Word in their hearts – those who have not gained salvation through Jesus. They may challenge your Christian faith. “5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away … 7. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:5, 7). We are warned to turn away from their “form of godliness.”

Jesus gave another warning to help us understand this. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Who will enter the kingdom of heaven? We just read, “he that doeth the will of my Father.” What is the will of his Father? It is to “enter ye in at the strait gate,” which is to believe in Jesus for salvation.

Right after this, we read what Jesus taught about two very different men. One He called a wise man. This man He likened to one who heard the teachings of Jesus and did them. This man built his house upon a rock. A rock is solid and does not move. “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock” (Matthew 7:25). Whatever opposed the wise man, his house stood, for it was founded upon Jesus, the Rock: “… and that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4b).

The other man he called a foolish man. “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand” (Matthew 7:26). What made him foolish? He heard Jesus’ teachings, yet did not do them. This is building a house upon the sand – for it is constantly shifting or moving. (Religions and man’s opinions continually change.) What happens when one builds their house upon the sand? “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:27). Not only does the foolish man’s house fall when troubles come, but that fall is great.

Christians will encounter people who have chosen numerous different paths, by many different men’s teachings (religions/opinions). They all sound much easier and quicker than the One true way that the Bible teaches. The journey may not appear easy, but Christians have the assurance that the Narrow Way is the Only way to life everlasting, after entering in through Jesus. In addition, Christians have God’s written Word that has been given to read which will help in this Christian life. Christians can learn many things in the Bible that are profitable, enabling them to become stable, building a strong house (life) upon the Rock that is Jesus. One should find comfort in God’s Word that will help in this Christian life, teaching one what to do.

Have you chosen to be wise and build your house upon the rock?