I'm On The Narrow Way! How About You?
Matt. 7:14-15 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Luke 13: 23-28 - Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
Is the majority usually right? No, hardly ever. The majority of people agreed with the nazis to persecute and murder the Jews. The majority of people will choose things that aren’t good for them, because the majority do not like discipline or denying their flesh. The majority of youth will apply peer-pressure to the few. The majority will go with the status quo, rather than rock the boat.
The United States of America was birthed because a few people chose freedom at the risk of their own lives. Even the Marines motto is “the few, the proud, the marines”. Anything done exceptionally well, is done by a few specialists who are willing to pay the price at any cost.
Out of the entire population of Israel, Jesus called only twelve to walk with Him. God chose a small nation, both in population and land, to be His peculiar, chosen people. He has always defeated the enemy with a small, out-numbered force to show forth His glory.
In this hour we need to remember that it is a narrow way we have been called to travel. We also need to remember that few are on it. Yes, God wants all to be saved. Yes, Jesus paid the price for all. He desires for not one to perish. However, He gave man a free choice to accept or deny His free gift. He never forces people to accept Him, and neither can we.
We cannot allow the enemy to make us feel that we are failing, just because the majority may not choose Christ. Neither can we justify compromise because it’s what “the other churches or so-called Christians” are doing. God is not into the book of Numbers right now. He’s into the Book of Acts. Those great acts of the Holy Spirit were performed by a minority.
Success cannot be measured by numbers. Only eight people were saved in the ark. The majority wouldn’t believe. Eight doesn’t seem like much to save the earth with, and preserve a people for God to show forth His power. In the Old Testament, twelve spies were sent out to look at the promised land. The majority said that it would be impossible to possess the promised land. Only two saw what God saw. God started the church with only one hundred twenty on the day of pentecost. God calls many people but only chooses some because they are willing to pay the price. Matthew 20:16“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” God wants to use many in His harvest but says even those are few. Matthew 9:37says “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.”
Jesus asked His disciples a question that is rather surprising in Luke 18: 8, “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” This seems to imply that their won’t be many people operating in faith when He comes. We wish that it would be different but the The Word seems to imply otherwise.
However, we are in a day where everything seems to be measured by the standard of numbers. I can think of nothing more horrible than to pastor a mega church of several thousand people and to find out on judgment day that the majority never knew Jesus in a real and personal way. They will be lost, no matter how many wonderful programs they have, happy people in their chairs, social welfare projects, or how many times they attend church.
I believe that we need to do all that we can do to bring people into the church, so that they can meet Jesus. We need to reach out, use the tools of advertisement, media, social network, outreaches, or any other tool available. However, we cannot compromise the Word of God or the moving of His Spirit just to hold them there. I would rather have five committed, born again, Spirit-filled, on-fire Christians in my church than five thousand on their way to hell.
Can we expect the vast majority to have their eyes opened and to accept Jesus? I believe there will be an influx of hungry people coming to Christ for the first time. God is going to give the church some creative ideas of how to reach people. However, at the same time the Bible speaks of a definite falling away. That sounds like a lot of backsliders to me. You cannot fall away unless you have first tasted. Unfortunately, there will always be a majority crowd who rushes to the wide way. It requires no sacrifice, no dying to self, no holiness, no faith or obedience, and no commitment. Many of them will still want to soothe their conscience or impress others by church attendance, but have not given their lives to Christ. They may even talk the talk, but will not walk the walk.
Do not be surprised, discouraged, or dismayed. Jesus healed multitudes in every city He went to. Yet, at the end of His ministry, it looked as though He had a couple of women and one thief on the cross who believed on Him. The rest deserted Him. To the world and the religious of His day, He looked like He was a total failure. Yet, He has millions of followers and disciples today. It has been said that William Carey, the great missionary to India, saw only one convert but the fruit of that convert in years to come was the beginning of Christianity in India. The Bible tells us to not despise the days of small beginnings.
It’s so important to keep our eyes on the finish line, be obedient each and every day, and not look at numbers. Only look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. It’s from Him, and Him only, that we will hear“Well done thou good and faithful servant”.