The Broad and the Narrow Path
By Mrs. D. W. Myers
Enter ye 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. Matt. 7:13, 14. THESE are words which Jesus Himself spoke. He pointed out plainly the two ways, one which leads to destruction, the other to life. Dear reader, which path have you chosen? If you have lived a reckless and self-pleasing life, and sought to enjoy all of this world's pleasures, honor, praise, and exaltation, then remember that the majority of the people are seeking after these things, and therefore they are on the broad way, and you are also numbered with the millions traveling the way "that leadeth to destruction." Will you turn and begin walking in "the narrow way" which leads you to the city of God, to life eternal? Will you join the "little flock," the few pilgrims? Will you bravely "fight the good fight of faith," regardless of the fact that the world scorns you, scoffs at you, and "knows you not"? Jesus said that the world knew Him not, for if they had known Him, they would also have known the Father who sent Him. John 8:19. Then if the world knew not Jesus, our Master and Saviour, how will they know His servants? But we know Him, and are willing to labor for our Redeemer, our King. And we know that our labor shall be richly repaid, for a crown of glory awaits us, and a home in the city of God, the New Jerusalem, where we shall live eternally. Nevermore shall we know the bitterness of disappointment, the anguish of pain, the heart-breaking scenes which surround the death-bed. Rev. 21:4. O, no; the promise is sure and true. Rev. 22:6. Let us read a verse which will seem to puzzle us: "But wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." Matt. 23:13. What! Jesus calling the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites! people who were supposed to be doing God's work! Are there any such scribes and Pharisees nowadays? — O, yes. There are many who profess to teach the Word of God, but are neither entering in themselves nor letting others enter into the kingdom. Strive to enter. Labor to enter. As Paul says, "Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." Heb. 4:11. Let us not fall by the way of unbelief. Let us look steadfastly to the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Let us take Jesus for our example, and not those who fell by reason of unbelief. Let us strengthen one another. Let us set a holy, godly life before our neighbors, those outside the ark of safety, that they may say, even against their own wish, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." And now which path would you rather pursue, the one to everlasting death, or destruction, or the one to life everlasting and glory? Every individual is to decide for himself. May God help you to choose the narrow way. Even tho it seems hard at first, still it is the smoother and the happier even here in this life; and we will be recompensed with life eternal, joy, and everlasting happiness in the end, and a home in the kingdom of God throughout all the ages of eternity.