"Enter 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: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13,14).

THESE WERE THE ALARMING WORDS spoken by the Son of God, who spake as never man spake, words that are "graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!" (Job 19:24). No doubt the reader is astonished at such words. However, this reaction is to be expected, for your heart is the same as man's was over 1900 years ago, and they, too, were astonished when they heard His words. The Bible says, "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine" (Matthew 7:28).

MAN'S DOWNWARD COURSE

The teachings of the Son of God are far different than the teachings of men, and it may be the reader has been deceived as to the path on which he is traveling, for "there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 16:25).

The "broad way" is so wide there is room for every type of person that is outside of Christ. From Rabbis, preachers and priests to drunkards, thieves and harlots; from upright and respectable to debased and degenerate; and from richest to poorest, all that are born into the scenes of this world are put into one class through Adam's fall, and that is - "SINNER." God has proclaimed and "proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;" and that "There is none righteous, no, not one ...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:9,10,23).

Even though all men are not ruined in their character, yet all men are ruined in their nature. If not saved, they are designated by God as "children of disobedience" (Colossians 3:6), "enemies" of God (Romans 5:10), and "children of the devil" (I John 3:10).

MAN'S TOTAL INABILITY

Perhaps you have never placed yourself in this category; God, however, has proclaimed it, and God means what He says and says what He means! All your prayers cannot alter it, neither can all your penance change it! You may resolve to "try better" or "turn over a new leaf" or attend the church of your choice more faithfully. However, all such reformation will never alter by one hair's breadth your true condition and position before God. As a ruined guilty sinner of Adam's fallen race, you are hastening with the many on the broad way that leadeth to destruction. The "church's" boast of antiquity cannot save you, its boasting of "unity" cannot deliver you, and certainly its boasting of numbers would condemn you, for Jesus says the way that leadeth unto life is narrow, and few there be that find it!

GOD'S WONDROUS DELIVERANCE

In the midst of such darkness and despair, what then can save the sinner from hell and fit him for heaven? - NOTHING CAN SAVE EXCEPT THE FINISHED WORK OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS AT CALVARY!

"What must I do," has oft been asked,
"Eternal life to gain?"
Man anxious seems for any task,
If this he may obtain.

But all the doing has been done,
As God has clearly shown,
When by the offering of His Son
His purpose He made known.

Friend, listen! "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). In Christ, God has come down in perfect grace to the sinner, so that in Christ, the sinner may be brought up in perfect righteousness to God. This same One, who "bare our sins in His own body on the tree, ...hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened (made alive) by the Spirit" (I Peter 2:24; 3:18). Presently, He lives in the power of an endless life at the right hand of God, being "able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him" (Hebrews 7:25).

My friend, can you look back in your life's history to a time when you, as a sinner, believed the testimony God has given of His Son? If not, you are still on the broad way that leadeth to destruction - with the many!

"Jesus saith... I am the way,
the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father,
but by Me."
(The Gospel of St. John 14:6)