The narrow road

[JimBeta]

Many believe they are walking on the narrow road. They say that others are walking on the wide road. But when those people look sideways, several people walk along with them on that road and usually, the person who goes on the wrong road, so to speak, walks there alone.
We look at the Bible to determine our vision on which road we walk, but I tell you: look around you, how many people think the same as you do. How many people believe the same as you. Look around you, how many people come to support you in what you say. Look around you, how many people accept what you say. Look around you, how many people appreciate and respect you for what you say. Look around you, how much you are appreciated for what you say. And then see which road you are on.
For the road to life is narrow, and not many find it, but the road to destruction is wide, and many walk it.
So if you notice that there are many who think and believe as you think, there are many who appreciate you for what you say, then there are many on the same path as you.
You can then say: yes, but what I say is written. Yes, whatever the other person says is also written, but that is simply not accepted by others because they are on a different road.
Therefore, be glad when not many understand you. Be happy when many do not accept you. Be happy when many judge you. Be glad when many rebel against you and conspire. Be happy when only a few defend you. Be happy, because then it is clear on which road you are. And then it is clear on which road the other person is.

 

[Tolworth John]

Matthew 7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Was my first thought.

My second is Romans 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Salvation doesn't depend upon what church we attend or whether we are 'good', but upon our obedience to Jesus.

 

[JimBeta]

Matthew 7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Was my first thought.

My second is Romans 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Salvation doesn't depend upon what church we attend or whether we are 'good', but upon our obedience to Jesus.

Its a shame you look at it as being a judgement, when all I did was want to give insight on how to know which road you travel.

 

[JimBeta]

When I speak of love, I am not good because I need to point out sin to others.
When I warn others, I am not good because then I am judging.
I understand now why God calls us His children. We are all little children.

 

[Johnny4ChristJesus]

Many believe they are walking on the narrow road. They say that others are walking on the wide road. But when those people look sideways, several people walk along with them on that road and usually, the person who goes on the wrong road, so to speak, walks there alone.
We look at the Bible to determine our vision on which road we walk, but I tell you: look around you, how many people think the same as you do. How many people believe the same as you. Look around you, how many people come to support you in what you say. Look around you, how many people accept what you say. Look around you, how many people appreciate and respect you for what you say. Look around you, how much you are appreciated for what you say. And then see which road you are on.
For the road to life is narrow, and not many find it, but the road to destruction is wide, and many walk it.
So if you notice that there are many who think and believe as you think, there are many who appreciate you for what you say, then there are many on the same path as you.
You can then say: yes, but what I say is written. Yes, whatever the other person says is also written, but that is simply not accepted by others because they are on a different road.
Therefore, be glad when not many understand you. Be happy when many do not accept you. Be happy when many judge you. Be glad when many rebel against you and conspire. Be happy when only a few defend you. Be happy, because then it is clear on which road you are. And then it is clear on which road the other person is.

That could also be a very dangerously deceiving way to think, because it is still looking to the wrong source for affirmation--man's approval or disapproval. Not being accepted for some can be as rewarding as being accepted for others; but, that doesn't necessarily mean their theology is right or that they are on the right path.

A recent example: The fact that many believe in hell and the fact that few believe all are saved, doesn't make hell real or all saved. Nor does the "few" necessarily equate to correctness any more than the relatively few who believed Jim Jones lies were correct. Otherwise, every cult or claimed heresy would actually be the correct way.

 

[Basil the Great]

Jesus certainly seemed to indicate in Matthew that many will be sadly disappointed re: their fate. Hence, we can probably safely assume that many Christians alive today will be in for a shock when they stand before God.