The Narrow Way and Hell

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. - Matthew 7:12–14, ESV

These verses about the ‘narrow way’ have often been used to talk about how so many people are going to Hell because they don’t believe in Jesus. Perhaps you’ve heard that before.

And yet, did you notice the immediate context of what Jesus is referring to? He’s summarizing the whole Old Testament in what’s commonly called The Golden Rule - do to others what you want them to do to you. One way to gain insight into the Golden Rule is to equate it with how Jesus summarizes the whole Old Testament elsewhere: namely, it’s about loving God and loving others.

So do the math. Jesus says that loving others - by actually practicing a generous, action-oriented, service-hearted faith - is the narrow way. This is the way to life! And the way to destruction - Hell if you prefer - is not loving well.

It is NOT about what you believe. It’s about how you love. And the description of Hell (‘destruction’) really describes the current situation of us all when we don’t love well. It’s a mess, right?

Instead of saying a prayer to ask Jesus in your heart, why don’t you say a prayer for the grace and strength to join Jesus in this narrow way, this challenging way, of loving others well today.