Have you ever noticed that life is made up of decisions? Decisions reveal the inner nature of a person. People make decisions based on conditioning that is determined by their goals and priorities.. We are responsible for our own decisions, but we are also accountable to God.

Jesus presents three very significant contrasts in Matthew 7:13-21. They are:

1. The broad way  and the narrow way.
2. Bad fruit and good fruit.
3. Doing and failing to do the will of God.

The first contrast-the narrow way and the broad way-is a contrast between the abundant life which Jesus offers and the way of selfishness, which has no restraints. Jesus consistently teaches how hard it is to follow Him. The two gates in verses 13-14 represent every person’s choice: Following Jesus or following any other path. Only the more difficult, less-chosen gate to follow Christ leads to life.

The gate is narrow because it is demanding. It requires faith, discipline, and integrity. The broad road, in contrast, has no demands of loyalty, integrity, discipline, or character. The wide gate leads to hell, but the narrow gate leads to heaven and God’s blessing. It is narrow and harder to travel, but it leads to life. A narrow gate requires a much slower and more careful pace.

Whenever the true and narrow way is taught, there are always false teachers who disguise themselves as genuine shepherds. This was particularly evident by the time Matthew wrote his Gospel. The people were confronted with (among other things) the legalists who taught that in order to be a Christian you had to be circumcised. Jesus warned His followers that they should be discerning and not accept everything that is presented under the guise of being the gospel, especially in the church. As one minister once said, “More harm has been done to the church by termites on the inside than by woodpeckers on the outside!”

The second contrast is between bad fruit and good fruit. Jesus said that it is impossible for an evil tree to bear good fruit. The early church came up with a list of guidelines to discern the claims of prophets, especially those who went from one town or village to another:

1. He was to remain one day or perhaps two if necessary. If he stayed for three days, he was a false prophet.
2. He was to ask for nothing but his food. If he asked for money, he was a false prophet.
3. Prophets were to be known by their character.
4. If a prophet wanted to settle in a particular town or village he was to secure a trade and work so he could eat.

Teaching is false when it claims salvation without discipleship. Teaching is false when it offers grace as something separate from God’s gracious presence. Teaching is false when its emphasis on faith does not include any mention of ethical living. Teaching is also false when it emphasizes ethics as a saving way of life rather than as the expression of the transforming work of the Spirit in us.

Just as in Old Testament times when false prophets were common, we are not safe from the devil’s schemes. He is a wolf disguised as a sheep. What appears harmless is simply there to entice us and draw us in. It can feel good and right, but then the snare of sin traps us, and we suddenly realize we are in danger.

Believers glorify God and identify themselves with Him by producing spiritual fruit, which includes faith, good works and steadfast character. When there is no spiritual fruit, there is no spiritual life or faith. The kingdom is both words and deeds. A disciple is one who links words and deeds, for deeds demonstrate the word and the word interprets the deed.

Jesus’s words in this passage are not idealism. They are the guidelines for our lives. We live only by and in His grace. We can’t believe this message without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. His call to obey Him is evident. Jesus makes clear that deeds verify words. Willingness and eagerness are the signs of someone who has come to faith in Jesus. They obey, not because they want to earn God’s favour, but because they feel delighted to have received it already.

Someday every person will stand before God in judgment, and the reality of every person’s relationship with Jesus Christ will be revealed. Without a personal relationship with Christ, religious words and religious ways-such as attending church, filing positions of church leadership, and performing good works-have no value.

If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? In other words, when the world looks at you do they see just another average Joe, or do they know you serve a greater King?

A peaceful life leads nonbelievers to respect believers. People are watching the way we act more than they are listening to what we say. For example, Saint Francis of Assisi once invited a young monk to accompany him to town to preach. The novice was honoured at the opportunity. They set out for the city, then walked up and down the main street, then several side streets. They chatted with peddlers and greeted the people. After some time they returned to the abbey by another route.

The younger man reminded Francis of his original intent. “You have forgotten, Father, that we went to town to preach.” Francis replied, “My son, we have preached. We have been seen by many. Our behaviour was closely watched. Our attitudes were closely measured. Our words have been overheard. It was by thus that we preached our morning sermon.”

Many prayers are filled with requests that Jesus help things go well in our own, personal little kingdoms here on earth. Of people like this, Jesus said: “Not everyone who calls out to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” What does this mean? It means living according to His laws. It draws us more into His likeness.

Being a Chrisitan is not an easy life. The fruit of the Spirit only grows sweet and nourishing over the course of time, and the richest harvest of blessings only comes through the pain of process. In fact, delayed gratification is a requirement of experiencing the fullness of our Christian birthright. We must not trade a joy-filled and peace-infused existence on the narrow road for a few shallow and temporarily satisfying pleasures that only leave us feeling empty.

(An audio version of this post can be found at https://www.spreaker.com/episode/matthew-7-verses-13-21-decisions-descisions-decisions–67895871)

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013, p. 1293)
2. Augsburger, M.S., & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 24: Matthew (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982; p. 18)
3. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New Kings James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
5. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp. 1305-1307)
6. Bobby Schuller, “The Right Path.” Retrieved from www.hourofpower.org.
7. Kelly McFadden, “Beware of the Dog.” Retrieved from www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/homeword/
8. Jack Graham, “Are You Producing the Right Kind of Fruit?” Retrieved from jgraham@powerpoint.org
9. Charles R. Swindoll, “Destination Unknown.” Retrieved from info@insightforliving.ca
10. Bobby Schuller, “Forgo Instant Gratification.” Retrieved from www.hourofpower.org