© 2012 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)
As a young boy, I discovered that the argument, “Everybody’s doing it,” was ineffective in convincing my parents to let me do anything. They reminded me that crowds often blindly march together down a destructive path. They taught me Jesus’ words: “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).
According to Jesus, most folks follow the crowd down a path that feels right, but ends in eternal destruction. The book of Proverbs also expresses this idea: “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 16:25).
What is this destructive path? It is a path of self-righteousness. If you ask most religious people why they think they will go to Heaven when they die, you will find their answers generally focused on doing good works, going to church, being kind, and seeking to keep the 10 Commandments. With enough righteous works, they hope that God will be impressed enough to let them into Heaven. However, God is not impressed with our works. He says, through His prophet, Isaiah, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6).
The narrow path, however, is unpopular. It is one of humility. Those who find this path abandon the self-righteous crowd and humble themselves, admitting their wickedness renders them incapable of earning salvation. Jesus said, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
Which path are you on? Are you following the crowd in its attempt to earn salvation, or have you begged for the mercy of God, through Christ’s blood sacrifice, to save you from your sins and turn you from your inborn wickedness?
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