Lesson Sixty-Two: The Narrow Gate
62.1 How badly we need the Holy Spirit is seen by how often and how badly we fail to live up to the "Golden Rule." How desperately we need this Holy Spirit is also seen by Jesus' next admonition...
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 (confining) is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14
62.2 The emphasis is on the word narrow. There is a gate (portal), and a way (passage), that lead to - life. Left to themselves people would never even dream that such a gate exists. Finding it is like an astonishing discovery. It is so skinny that standing next to it they would not see it. Suddenly there it is before their eyes! Jesus Himself is the gate - revealed by surprise - by the Holy Spirit of grace.
62.3 This narrow gate and narrow way - leading to life; are opposed by a broad gate and a broad way - leading to complete ruin. Not finding the narrow gate is the same as finding the broad gate!
62.4 Again we must judge ourselves to be so very needy - of the Father's good gift - the Holy Spirit.
62.5 If Jesus Himself is the gate, He is also the Way. Following Him - we follow His way - His teachings.
62.6 The picture is of a building: There is a narrow gate beyond which lies a narrow passageway - which leads to an inner courtyard with its connecting rooms - the kingdom of heaven.
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