CHOICES: CHOOSING TO ENTER THE WIDE GATE

 

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CHOICES: CHOOSING THE WIDE GATE

"… Enter…in at the strait gate for WIDE is the GATE and BROAD is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the GATE, and NARROW is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it…” (Matthew 7:14 KJV).

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The WIDE gate symbolizes the variety of WAYS, paths, highways, or roads people take that allow them to follow the DEEDS (choices) that lead them straight to destruction. "… WIDE is the GATE and BROAD is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; …” (Matthew 7:14 KJV). “ … It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom …” (Galatians 5:15-21 MSG).

The WAYS (choices) of the flesh appear to be an easier path to most people nevertheless, it is STILL the WAY to destruction. “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who CHOOSE that way. …” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).

The easier WAY is often filled with the illusion of adventure, multiple options, and instant gratification from everything seen, lusted for, or prideful in the carnal world. “... For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes NOT from the Father but from the world …” (1 John 2:16-17 NLT).

The NARROW gate symbolizes the single WAY path, highway, or road people take that allows them to follow the DEEDS (choices) that lead them straight to abundant LIFE. "… strait is the GATE, and NARROW is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it…” (Matthew 7:14 KJV). “… I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word…” (Psalms 119:101 NASB). “… I hate every false way…” (Psalms 119:128 NASB).

The gate stands WIDE OPEN to carnality and worldly pleasures. The WAY of the ungodly is BROAD, seemingly smooth, easy, and offers a bouquet of pleasures that cater ONLY to the flesh. “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who CHOOSE that way. …” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).

No matter how pleasurable the WIDE GATE appears initially; with its compass of vices; it ALWAYS leads to destruction. "… WIDE is the GATE and BROAD is the way, that leadeth to destruction …” (Matthew 7:14 KJV).

To CHOOSE the WIDE GATE is to voluntarily and willfully CHOOSE to follow a common, typical, or customary WAY of travel or LIFE. “… They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch...” (Matthew 15:14 NASB).

A GATE represents A WAY or COURSE of human conduct that people FOLLOW after, or accept as right, or have been taught to practice.“… teach them ordinances and laws, and … shew them the way wherein they must walk …” (Exodus 18:20 NASB). “… They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them …” (Exodus 32:8 NASB).

“… The angel of the Lord said unto him … thy way is perverse before me …” (Numbers 22:32 NASB). “…. his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside …” (1 Samuel 8:3 NASB).  “… Jeroboam returned not from his evil way…” (1 Kings 13:33 NASB). “… In the generations before us, God let all the different nations go their own way…” (Acts 14:16 MSG). “… I sent unto you Timotheus … who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ …” (1 Corinthians 4:17 NASB). “…Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins…” (James 5:20 NASB). “… My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God…” (James 5:19-20 MSG).

The bible discusses the WAY of human conduct through spiritual enlightenment and reveals how it totally disregards God or his holy WAYS. “…Will you keep to the ancient path Which wicked men have trod…” (Job 22:15 NASB). “… when the judge died … they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways…” (Judges 2:19 NASB). “…The people replied …We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires (own ways)…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

The WIDE GATE is an evil and sinful course that is guaranteed to END in destruction. “…if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT). “…the way of the wicked will perish…” (Psalms 1: 6 NASB).

The WIDE GATE leads mankind to reap an harvest of their OWN doings. “…whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap….” (Galatians 6:7 KJV). “….For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption…” (Galatians 6:8 KJV).

“… They sow the wind And they reap the whirlwind…” (Hosea 8:7 NASB).  “…When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more…” (Proverbs 10:25 NASB)

“… Condemning the wicked by bringing his way on his own head…” (1 Kings 8:32 NASB).

“… give to every man according to his ways, …” (1 Kings 8:39 NASB).

“… He repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve…” (Job 34:11 MSG).

“… I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve…” (Jeremiah 17:10 MSG). “… I will judge you according to your ways and bring all your abominations upon you…” (Ezekiel 7:3 NASB). “… My eye will show no pity nor will I spare. I will repay you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst; then you will know that I, the Lord, do the smiting…” (Ezekiel 7:9 NASB). “… The Lord also has a dispute with Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; He will repay him according to his deeds…” (Hosea 12:2 NASB). “…my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).

The WIDE GATE is for the WICKED and BLIND that are headed for DEATH. “…the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death…” (Job 11:20 NASB). “… In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are…” (Psalms 36:2 NASB).“… The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences…” (Proverbs 22:3, 27:12 NASB). “…Because you have sinned against the Lord, I will make you grope around like the blind…” (Zephaniah 1:17 NASB). “…A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?...” (Luke 6:39 NASB).

Who BLINDS those who enter into the WIDE GATE? “… The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God…” (2 Corinthians 4:4 NASB).

Can God’s people go BLIND when they enter into some of the WIDE GATES? “… He has granted to … [his people] … His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them .. [they] … may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins…” (2 Peter 1:4-9 NASB).

Can a believer enter into the WIDE GATES and still claim to walk with God? “…If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person IS A LIAR and is not living in the truth…” (1 John 2:4 NLT).  “…If we “SAY” that we have fellowship with him, and WALK IN DARKNESS (the WIDE GATE), WE LIE, and DO NOT THE TRUTH…” (1 John 1:6 KJV).

The WIDE GATE is no longer the path of the believer unless he or she CHOOSES to continue that WAY.“…Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And SUCH “WERE” SOME OF YOU…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…ye are WASHED … ye are SANCTIFIED, ye are JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the SPIRIT of our GOD…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV).

“… [IF]..after [having] escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, [you]… are entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb. The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire…” (2 Peter 2:20-22 KJV).

There are MANY WAYS to do things and many PATHS to take in which to do those things, but there is ONLY one true WAY for them ALL. “… Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way …” (John 15:5- 6 KJV).

“…The steps of a good man are ordered (directed) by the Lord: …” (Psalms 37:23 KJV). “ … In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go…” (Psalms 32:8 KJV). “… I will guide thee with mine eye…” (Psalms 32:8 KJV). “… Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel…” (Psalms 73:74 KJV). “… Teach me the way in which I should walk …” (Psalms 143:8 NASB).  “…come and follow me…” (Matthew 19:21 KJV). “… Jesus saith unto him, I am the way …” (John 15:5- 6 KJV).

“… I am the way …” (John 15:5- 6 KJV). The “WAY” is the VEHICLE you take to EVERY destination in which you want to reach. The “WAY” is the ROAD that enables you to reach that destination. The “WAY” is that which TRANSPORTS you to that destination. “… I am the way …” (John 15:5- 6 KJV).

The “WAY” is Jesus and his whole MISSION was to get you to a particular destination. “…the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost…” (Luke 19:10 KJV). “….the Son of Man came …to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). “For Christ … died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God (destination)…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “…I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go…” (Psalms 32:8 KJV).

Before believers were called Christians they were called, “THE WAY.” “… I am the way …” (John 15:5- 6 KJV).  “… And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem…” (Acts 9:2 NASB).

Remember King Nebuchadnezzar; let’s look at his situation from a different perspective. In a sense, he followed the WIDE GATE of his OWN way instead of the NARROW GATE of God’s way. King Nebuchadnezzar did NOT heed God’s WAY, but continued in his OWN. He was told: “… Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue…” (Daniel 4 NLT).

 “….Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?”  (Daniel 4 NLT).

Like Nebuchadnezzar many of God’s people are NOT listening to him, but are following their OWN stubborn WAYS. “…But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).

King Nebuchadnezzar took the WIDE GATE of his own way. Twelve months later, “… a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox…”  (Danial 4 NLT).

Nebuchadnezzar’s voluntarily and willfully took the WIDE GATE of his OWN ways. The King didn’t listen to God’s WAY. God gives man human will to follow their OWN way or God’s way. “…They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).

However, God can GIVE or TAKE AWAY the options from human will; it’s HIS world. “…The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away…” Job 1:20-22 NASB). ONLY God truly “…does whatever pleases HIM…” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).

“ … It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time …” (Galatians 5:15-21 MSG). "… WIDE is the GATE and BROAD is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; …” (Matthew 7:14 KJV). What did Nebuchadnezzar’s OWN way lead to? “…He (Nebuchadnezzar) was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird….” (Daniel 4 NLT). 

However, “…At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride (self-will) he is able to humble…” (Daniel 4 NIV).

Nebuchadnezzar personally experienced the harvest of his OWN way and learned some wisdom. He said: “….And those who walk in pride (the WIDE GATE) HE IS ABLE to humble…  NO ONE can hold back his hand…” (Daniel 4 NIV).

Nebuchadnezzar’s story gives credence to CHOOSING the WIDE GATE (your own way) or CHOOSING the NARROW GATE (God’s WAY.) The lesson is clear: “…If the Lord will, [YOU] shall live, and do this, or that...” (James 4:16 KJV).  “….HE IS ABLE to humble (YOU)… [and]...NO ONE can hold back his hand…” (Daniel 4 NIV). “…NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).

Nebuchadnezzar was warned through a prophetic word from God to DO RIGHT, but he did not LISTEN. “… Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue…” (Daniel 4 NLT).

Many of God’s people today are NOT listening or walking in God’s WAY, but are entering into the WIDE GATE. “…whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap….” (Galatians 6:7 KJV). “….For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption…” (Galatians 6:8 KJV).

“…my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).

“But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

God’s WORD IS POWERFUL and WHATEVER he says “WILL” come to pass! "… WIDE is the GATE and BROAD is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; …” (Matthew 7:14 KJV). “…And in the PROCESS of time IT CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).  “….HE IS ABLE… [and]…NO ONE can hold back his hand…” (Daniel 4 NIV).

“…my words SHALL NOT pass away…” (Matthew 24:35 KJV). God is “…watching over [his[… word to perform it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…It (his word) shall not return unto [him]… void, but it shall accomplish that which [God]… please[s], and it shall prosper in the thing whereto [God]… sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

"… Enter…in at the strait gate for WIDE is the GATE and BROAD is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the GATE, and NARROW is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it…” (Matthew 7:14 KJV).

“…The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt (disrespect)?” (Daniel 14:11 NIV). “…My people would not listen to me (The NARROW GATE). They kept doing whatever they wanted (The WIDE GATE) following the stubborn desires of their …[OWN] … evil hearts…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).

Thus, “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore [YOU]…choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). "… Enter…in at the strait gate ….because strait is the GATE, and NARROW is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it…” (Matthew 7:14 KJV).