THE TWO WAYS               

 

Matthew 7:13-14;                   Psalm 1

 

There are only two religions in the world:

 

One which has emanated from the heart of man, and

 

The other which has come out of the heart of God. 

 

The one is only an imagina­tion, the other is a revelation. 

 

In these verses we notice      Two gates,

                                                Two ways,

                                                Two companies,

                                                Two ends.

 

Let us look at the two ways -

 

Jeremiah 21:8            And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.

 

 

I.          THE WAY INTO LIFE 

 

What does this life mean? 

 

"The gate" suggests the idea of a city, a place of safety fellowship, and plenty. 

 

The life, which is in Christ, is a life of:

 

            (1)        Safety from sin and wrath;

 

            (2)        Fellowship with God;

 

            (3)        Satisfaction in the fullness of God. 

 

There must be a passing from death into life.

 

            1.         IT IS AN OPEN WAY

 

It may be strait, narrow, but, thank God, it is not shut. 

 

Revelation 3:8 "Behold, I have set before thee an open door"

 

This way was closed up by sin and fenced up by the law. 

 

Christ opened it through bearing our sins and becoming obedient unto death. 

 

It is a new and living way consecrated (set apart) for us.

 

There are no back doors into the kingdom of God

 

John 14:6        Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

            2.         IT IS A NARROW WAY

 

(v 13)  "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way."

 

Perhaps the gate on the sidewalk may be referred to, where even camels were sometimes dragged through after removing the load they are carrying. 

 

Men need a remove some load also to enter here. 

 

Self-righteousness is not admitted.

Pride is not admitted

 

This gate is as narrow as the new birth. 

 

The straightness is not with God, but in man’s utter unfitness. 

 

If the way is narrow it leads to a large place.

 

Psalms 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

 

            3.         IT IS THE WAY OF THE FEW. 

 

"Few there be that find it,” because few there be that seek it

 

Matthew 7:7 "Seek, and ye shall I find."

 

There are few on it, because many avoid it, preferring the darkness to the light, because their deeds are evil. 

 

Some put it off; others hope to stumble into it by chance. 

 

This is not something that will happen by chance. 

 

Luke 13:24  "Strive to enter."

 

Matthew 6:33             "Ye shall find Me when ye shall seek Me with all your heart"

 

 

II.        THE WAY OF DESTRUCTION. 

 

The word “destruction” here means loss, and is significant. 

 

It is the loss of that, by itself can save and satisfy.

 

            Like a watch losing its battery,

            Like a plant losing the earth from its roots,

            Like a man losing all his privileges and hopes. 

 

This way is:

 

            1.         A BROAD WAY. 

 

It suits the carnal mind. 

 

There is plenty of room on it for all the sinner's likes and pleasures. 

 

The world, the flesh, and the devil have full scope here. 

 

            It is wide enough for:

                        The staggering drunkard,

                        The dis­honest and the unclean,

                        The scoffer and the proud and haughty

 

Psalms 1:4-6   The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

 

            2.         A CROWDED WAY

 

(v 13)  “Many.... go in thereat.”

 

It is easy going downhill with the stream,

 

Hard to go up against the stream

 

Generally man 's first choice is the "broad way."

 

The heart of man is deceitful and wicked, and naturally prefers the pleasures of sin to the fellowship of God. 

 

Some are being pushed along in the crowd without any serious thought.

 

All are without God and ALL without hope.

 

Psalms 1:4 “...but are like the chaff which the wind driveth....”

 

            3.         A FATAL WAY

 

There is but only one possible-end to this way - “Destruction."

 

As sure as a rock sinks in a pond, the man will perish who loves and follows sin.

 

Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death"

 

Ezekiel 31:11 "Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?"

 

Jeremiah 21:8 "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death"

 

Choose life.

 

Psalms 1:6  For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

 

So which road are you on?

 

Did you choose correctly?

 

If not, it is not to late.

 

Choose the road to life, now before it is eternally too late.