Few Will Find It!

By James E. Crigger

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
 
   I’m sure the majority of Christians are familiar with this scripture.  Do we really know what it means and how it reflects on our daily living?

   Obviously, if means that the number of people qualified to enter into Heaven is quite small.  When you compare it to the other gate, the wide gate that leads to Hell, the number who are on the narrow path will be quite small.
   One thing that is evident in America is that just about everyone seems to think that they are headed for Heaven.

   Considering the life-style of most Americans and the seemingly prevalent teaching that all you have to do is go to church and put money into the offering, it is no wonder why we believe this.  Many, who call themselves Christians, and go to church, give their tithes and offering leave the church and behave like the rest of the world.  We have personally seen those who curse, drink, party and act in ways that present a wrong perception of a Christian within the world who views them.  Many condemn others and live the very life-style they may condemn.  I find that those who need condemnation have already felt that condemnation through their spirit and The Holy Spirit.
   The Bible tells us to come apart and be separate.  How can we witness this separation when we behave just like everyone else.  Churches seem to stay within themselves instead of embracing others who serve the same Lord, Jesus Christ.  Jesus once said:  “You’re either for me or against me”.  He also said: “I would that ye be hot or cold but because you are lukewarm, I will spew thee out of my mouth”.  Are you separate?  Is your church separate?  Or is the only separation of the church is a geographical difference in space.  If we are united, there cannot be the church of this or the church of that.  Unity means one!  Jesus is The One!  We must not worship the church we go to and think that it, or its pastor is the only true church.
   If we are following the narrow path, we must help others who are on this same path.  When they fall, we must lift them up and help them carry on.  Many times, instead of helping, we criticize and condemn and drive away those who do not believe as we do.  There is only one belief.  One Christ.  One Salvation.  Anything else is just opinion.  A “church cannot and must not be based upon ones’ opinion.
   So you baptize in a different way.  You speak in tongues, they don’t.  Others aren’t strict enough.  Some are too liberal.  The bottom line is:  IT DOESN’T MATTER!
   Denominations are not new to our generation.  Opinions and differences even existed within the first church.  Carefully read this:

1 Corinthians 1:12

10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them [which are of the house] of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?