HE Lord Jesus sets before us two "ways" —the "Broad Way," "which leadeth to destruction," and the "Narrow Way, "which leads to life." (See Matt. 7:13-1413Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13‑14).) Now, my natural reason and judgment assure me that heaven must be deserved to be gained; that salvation must be merited, and worked for to be won!
Acting on these convictions, and seeking to carry them out in my life, I tread the clean footpath of the "Broad Way," which leads to endless woe-that clean footpath on which are found every religious but unconverted man and woman!
Christ says, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 15:3.) How, then, do I enter the "Narrow Way"?
Leaving the natural reasonings of my own heart—the heart which Scripture tells me, and which, later on, my own experience tells me, " is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Eph. 17:9)—I seek the guidance of God's word, and find that salvation is " not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:9.)
This cuts at the root of all effort to save myself. I read also that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)), and not, as I had supposed, to help sinners to save themselves.
I then turn as a sinner to God (which is conversion), and appropriate what Christ, by His atoning death, has done for me. Thus I enter the "Narrow Way," which leads to a life of endless joy.
On the ground of this great redemption price paid by Christ on Calvary's cross for sinners (God's only ground of forgiveness for man) He freely forgives every repentant one who comes to Him.
“Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man [Christ Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things." (Acts 13:38, 39.)
Once on the "Broad Way," then outwardly near, but in heart far from God, but now "forgiven" and "justified from all things," I am exhorted to be "fruitful in every good work." F. A.