The Straight and Narrow Way

“Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.” Philippians 3: 16

The word walk here means, “To proceed in a row of soldiers, to direct one’s life.” Then, the word “rule” means “a rod to which anything is fastened in order to keep it straight.” We are, as Christians, to direct our lives according to one, narrow line. We are not to veer off into the broad way. There is one way by which we are to walk, live, and direct our lives.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7: 13-14

So often we give in to the mentality that we can rule and direct our lives ourselves. We call the shots. This is my life; therefore, I can decide what I want to do. However, as this passage illustrates, we are to be conformed to one standard. We are to align ourselves along a straight rod, which is Christ. We are to align our lives with His Word. He is in control of our lives, and we follow down His straight and narrow path.

The word ‘narrow’ literally means compressed and full of difficulty. The Christian life is not an easy one. We could be travelling down the broad way, where most other people are travelling, and life would be a lot easier. We would be living in luxury, we wouldn’t have to deal with the persecution and weird looks from the world (and a lot of times “Christians”), and we could just live our lives the way that we want to. However, this is not the way of the cross.

Mark 8: 34 says, “Whosever will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”

The way of the cross is denial to self. We pick up our crosses and follow Him down the narrow, hard, difficult way. But what is the promise associated with this way? Life!  What could be better? The way of the world may be easier and more socially acceptable, but it leads to death. Let us look unto Jesus and follow Him, even though it be hard, knowing that He gives life and life more abundant (John 10:10).