CrossSites Bible Study

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Matthew 7:13-14

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus presents us with the choice of entering the kingdom or not. This is the one decision that every person will have to make. It is the most important decision that we will make because it determines where we will spend eternity.

Jesus illustrates, in the sermon on the mount, the difficulty of putting into practice his teachings, likening them to a narrow gate, with few who manage to find it. Following Jesus and His teachings is hard and can be lonely and costly. Especially in a culture that wants to have nothing to do with God. But the rewards are so great. Heaven awaits those who are faithful to Jesus’ teachings.

Jesus says many people will take the broad way. They will follow false teachings that allow them to keep their “baggage” of sin and worldliness. Many false religions and teachers will seek to convince people that “All roads lead to heaven.”  But Jesus says that this path only leads to destruction. Unfortunately, too many of today’s modern churches have decided to try to appease the culture instead of standing on the truth of the word of God.

With this passage in mind, it has been said that our present circumstances are a result of our past decisions. If we truly take an honest look at our past, we will see the decisions that we made and how they impact our lives and those around us today. Either for the good or for the bad. The decisions that we make today will impact our futures and leave a legacy for future generations.

If this is a true statement, then how important is it that we get into the habit of making right decisions and right choices? The decision of what we do with Jesus is the most important decision we will ever make. Not only does it determine where we spend eternity after death, but it can also determine that future of our future generations. I would like to illustrate this fact from my personal experience where four generations have been affected by the decision of one father.

My father became a believer in Christ when I was eight years old. He began to live out his life based on the teachings of Christ and became involved in our local church. Our family began to change. Church became an important part of our lives.  Each time we moved, we quickly found a church home and got involved.

My parents lived Christ before us and when I was nine years old, I accepted Christ as my savior. As my brothers grew, they came to accept Christ. We were the second generation to come to know and follow Christ because of our father’s decision.

Following the example of our parents. My brother and I raised our families to follow Christ. All our children came to know and accept Jesus as Savior. Our children became the third generation of believers because of our father’s decision.

As a parent and a grandparent, it is a blessing to see my children raising their children in Christian homes. They attend church regularly and are teaching their children the truth of Jesus Christ. I believe and pray that my grandchildren will be the four generation of believers as a result of one father’s decision to take the narrow road and follow Jesus.

I write all this not to brag but to illustrate the impact our decisions have not just on ourselves but those around us. My story could have been one of a father who took the broad path and led his family down a destructive road.

Jesus challenged his listeners to make a choice. Were they going to take the narrow path that is hard and sometimes lonely, but the destination is heaven or were they going to take the broad path that was easy but leads to destruction and eternal separation from God.

The decisions you make will have eternal consequences for you. Hebrews 9:27 says “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment,” There is coming a time when everyone will stand before God to give an account of their decisions.

Will you reject Him and follow the culture down the broad road of self-indulgence and pleasure? This will only lead to you to destruction and eternal separation from God. Or will you take the narrow path of following the teachings of Jesus, which will lead to eternity with him.

 Jesus desires for everyone to believe in Him and enter the Kingdom (John 3:16).    In John 14:6  Jesus, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” The only way to heaven is through Jesus and His saving grace.

So, the question that you to answer today is “What am I going to do with Jesus?”

I encourage you to make the decision to follow Jesus that will leave an eternal legacy.