Ultimately, Only Two Roads in Life Exist

When all is said and done, everybody today is on one of two roads in life–the right road or the wrong road. I believe that far too many people in the world today think they are on the right road but are on the wrong road. That includes some churchgoers. Getting it right is vital because this is a matter of eternal consequences.

During His sermon on the mount, Jesus addressed the two roads in life. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it,” he says (Matthew 7:13 NASB, ). By contrast, “The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (verse 14).

Jesus told the people to not follow the crowd because the majority is wrong. Rather, they should enter the small gate and the narrow way. The road leading to eternal life is a restricted road. It’s not all-inclusive; it’s not come as you are. Nor have-it-your-way. Consequently, few will find the road and gate that leads to life.

But most people don’t want to go in the direction where almost no one else is going. To them, that just does not feel right. What feels right to their natural senses is going with the flow. I know it would be unsettling for unbelievers to hear this, but most people in the world today are on the wrong road. Jesus refers to it as the way that leads to destruction. Many, He says, are on that way.

The Many Facets of the Wrong Road

One reason the road that leads to life is narrow is because Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6, NASB).

I quiver at the thought of those words. Think about all the non-Christian religious bodies in our country and throughout our world. It does not matter how magnificent their buildings are or how impressive their order of services are. How sincere they are about what they are doing. All religious bodies that reject Christ promote the wrong road in life. Jesus calls it the road to destruction.

If it’s one thing people dislike, it is having their options taken away. Everybody wants the liberty to do things his or her way. That’s one reason so many different religions exist today. It does not matter what you believe or don’t believe about God and His Son. You will likely find a religious group that’s fits you to a tee.

But again, Jesus acknowledges only two roads in life. And every religion points its followers to one of these two roads. That’s why it does matter where you worship.

One of the wonderful things about living in America is that you can pursue whatever you want to do in this life. If I wanted to, for instance, I could have made a run for the President of the United States of America. I know I would have no chance of success in that endeavor. But that’s not the point. The point is that, as far as the world is concerned, the possible roads in life that we can travel are countless.

I thank God for the liberties that we enjoy in this regard. But again, when all is said and done, everybody today is on one of two roads in life–the right road or the wrong road. It all comes down to your personal relationship with Christ.

Jesus’ Teachings in the Church Today

Nearly 2000 years later, some preachers today find it hard to echo the implications of what Jesus says about the two roads. According to Him, only a few will find the road to life relative to those who won’t. His message was not even popular in His day. When He completed His sermon, “The people were astonished at His doctrine” (Matthew 7:28, KJV).

It should be no surprise that what Jesus said seems too intolerant to many people of faith today, let alone unbelievers. His message is just too clear cut for today’s pluralistic society. Perhaps that’s why some in Christian circles today teach alternative ways of salvation. Or why some preachers shy away from using such biblical terms as hell.

But none of this changes the fact that in the eyes of our Lord, every one of us is upon one of two roads in life. Those who have accepted Christ as their Savior have chosen the road that leads to eternal life. All others are on the road to destruction. Of course, the goal of the Christian church is to labor to get as many off the latter road and onto the former as possible.

Copyright © 2024 by Frank King. All rights reserved.