Why They Choose the Broad Way
By Timothy Glover
One of the saddest statements in the Bible is that many follow the broad way that leads to destruction and few follow the narrow way that leads to life (Mat. 7:13,14). God loved us and sent his son to die for us (Jn. 3:16, Rom. 5:8). We cannot blame God for this fact. Nor can we say that the narrow way is not clear. Denominational preachers have muddied the waters and confused many people. Nevertheless, the word of God is too plain about how we may be saved.
There is more than one answer to why the majority choose the broad way. One reason is because it is easier because it calls for no self-control. “If it feels good, do it” is the motto. In this approach to life, one does not have to accept any responsibility.
Another reason is due to a dislike of narrowness in religion or morals. It is strange that we accept narrowness in mathematics and expect such an approach by our pharmacists. We would not appreciate a sixteen wheeler who couldn’t drive on his side of the line. No one would cry out, “Quit being so narrow”. Yet, when Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6), was that is too narrow? When Peter says, “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), is that too narrow? And, it is positively unacceptable to most to suggest that there be only one church, even though Paul wrote, “There is one body” (Eph. 4:4).
Another reason people travel the broad way is because we tend to like what is popular. We tend to let others do our thinking for us and say, “Well, millions of people cannot be wrong.” Excitement of big crowds have always been a drawing card in religious crusades. Yet, crowds do not determine right and wrong. Moses wrote, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil” (Ex. 23:2). Besides, mass crowds should throw a red flag before us because down through history, only a remnant have followed the Lord.
May we all be determined to let God’s word direct us in the way he wants us to go for it is not in us to know the way (Jer. 23:6). Then, be prepared to be called “narrow-minded.”
