Narrow Gate

Matthew 7:13-15
"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.
"For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."

I think it is no mistake that Jesus goes from talking about the wide and narrow gates to false prophets. There are many who preach a false, wide gate gospel, appearing to do the work of God but succeeding in leading many astray.

In order to recognize the false, we must first know what is true. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. THE truth, not just something that is true for you. THE truth is absolute, and few will believe it. While the love and grace of God are expansive, His criteria for redemption are exclusive. There is no place for relativism in the church, and if there is no place for relativism in the church, there is no place for relativism in our lives. Do not be ashamed of the truth, for it is that which is is able to save your soul.

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This wasn't what I was originally going to share this week, but I saw something in the news yesterday that reminded me of how much influence false teachers have. It's news that is more than two weeks old, so I didn't see it right away, but it is so very sad. There is a push for the Anglican and Catholic church leaders to apologize to Charles Darwin for not receiving his work well in his day. Wide is the gate and broad is the way when those who should be leading the people in truth place the theory of a man above the Word of God. These churches have had their problems for a long time now, and this comes in following so many other worldly compromises, particularly by the church started so a king could get a divorce. I suppose the Vatican has traded some of its unbiblical practices for others over the years, but while I think they have major issues, they don't manage to disgust me quite as much as the Anglican church does.

This is the way far too many individual churches and whole denominations are going. The narrow path that the Church should be walking on has been widened to include more and more lanes that will lead instead to the wide gate. Society doesn't agree with what God says, so we conveniently sweep those controversial issues under a rug. Come to Jesus, but feel free to maintain your lifestyle. Sin doesn't matter if you believe. Look to the cross, and ignore the rest of the Bible. False prophets have come and they are tickling ears every chance they get. We can see it so clearly in some instances, but there is a lot of danger in the more subtle teachings that gradually feed more and more lies. Denominations, churches and individuals don't fall away from the truth all at once. It's a little bit here and a little bit there. What little bits are we buying into? I know I've seen things in my own life that are definitely the influence of the world. I'm not exempt, and I don't think you are, either.

Know the truth. It's the only way we will ever recognize a lie. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.