Choosing the Right Path: A Journey of Faith and Redemption
“Choose Your Gate Wisely” Sermon | 03.23.25
In our daily lives, we often find ourselves at crossroads, faced with decisions that can lead us down different paths. Some of these paths may seem enticing, filled with immediate pleasures and worldly success. Others may appear narrow, challenging, and less traveled. But which path should we choose? And how do we ensure we're walking in the right direction?
The truth is, we all stumble. We all make mistakes. As the hymn "Come Thou Fount" beautifully puts it, we are "prone to wander." This acknowledgment of our human frailty is not meant to discourage us, but rather to remind us of our constant need for guidance and redemption.
Scripture tells us in Psalm 119:10, "I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands." This verse encapsulates the heart's cry of a believer – a desire to stay on the right path, coupled with the humble admission that we need divine help to do so.
But what does the right path look like? Jesus provides a clear answer in Matthew 7:13-14: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
This teaching presents us with a stark choice. The wide gate and broad road may seem appealing – it's where the majority goes, after all. It's the path of least resistance, the one that conforms to worldly standards and immediate gratifications. But Jesus warns us that this path leads to destruction.
In contrast, the narrow gate and road may seem daunting. It requires intentional choice, effort, and often goes against the grain of societal norms. Yet, this is the path that leads to life – true, abundant, eternal life.
As we contemplate these paths, we must ask ourselves: Where am I headed? Am I on the road to life, or am I unconsciously drifting towards destruction?
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, provides us with a roadmap for salvation – often referred to as the "Romans Road." This path begins with the sobering realization that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We're all in need of redemption, regardless of our background or perceived goodness.
But the story doesn't end there. Romans 5:8 gives us hope: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Even in our fallen state, God reached out to us. He didn't wait for us to clean up our act or become worthy. He acted first, out of pure love.
This divine act of love offers us a gift – the gift of salvation. As Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This gift is freely offered, but it requires our response. We must choose to accept it.
How do we accept this gift? Romans 10:9-10 provides the answer: "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."
This acceptance isn't just a mental assent to facts. It's a heart-level transformation that manifests in our words and actions. It's choosing to walk the narrow path, to follow Jesus even when it's difficult or unpopular.
Yet, even as believers, we can sometimes find ourselves drifting. We might become complacent in areas where we feel confident, forgetting our need for God's guidance. Or we might, like Peter, deny our relationship with Jesus when faced with pressure or fear.
A poignant illustration of this comes from a thought-provoking video scenario. In it, a person goes about their day, constantly putting off time with Jesus, making excuses, and eventually leaving Him behind to go out with friends. This stark depiction challenges us to examine our own lives. How often do we push Jesus to the sidelines, treating Him as an afterthought rather than the center of our existence?
The good news is, it's never too late to return to the right path. God's grace is always available. As the beloved hymn "Amazing Grace" reminds us, "I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see." No matter how far we've strayed, we can always turn back to God.
Choosing the right path isn't a one-time decision. It's a daily, moment-by-moment choice to follow Jesus, to seek His will, to live according to His teachings. It means being willing to acknowledge Him before others, even when it's uncomfortable or costly.
As we navigate life's journey, let's remember the words of Jesus: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 4:17). This call to repentance isn't just for non-believers. It's a continual invitation for all of us to turn away from our self-centered paths and align ourselves with God's will.
Let's choose today to walk the narrow path. Let's accept the free gift of salvation if we haven't already. And for those who have, let's renew our commitment to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Let's not be content with merely knowing about Jesus, but strive to truly know Him and make Him known.
As we do so, we can rest in the beautiful promise found in Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
May we all find ourselves on the path of life, walking closely with our Savior, experiencing the fullness of His love and grace. The journey may not always be easy, but with Christ as our guide, it will always be worth it.
