The Great Divide: Two Gates, Two Roads, and Your Choice


The Great Divide: Two Gates, Two Roads, and Your Choice

We have been traveling through Jesus’ revolutionary teaching on "How Shall I Then Live." Up to this point, He has challenged everything we thought we knew. He told us we are salt and light. He told us to love our enemies, to pray in secret, and to stop worrying about tomorrow.

If you feel like that is a tall order, you’re right. You cannot live this life on your own. This is a supernatural life that requires a supernatural Helper—the Holy Spirit.

As Jesus begins to close His teaching, He presents several pairs of contrasts. These aren't "both/and" options; they are "either/or" choices that determine the destination of our souls.

1. The Two Gates and the Two Roads

Jesus paints a vivid picture of the journey through life.

"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." (Matthew 7:13-14)

Think of it this way:

  • The Broad Way: It’s like the 1979 AC/DC song, Highway to Hell. It’s a multi-lane highway with plenty of room for a person and their sins. It’s popular, it’s inclusive, and it’s easy to find.
  • The Narrow Way: It’s more like the 1971 Led Zeppelin song, Stairway to Heaven. A stairway is restrictive; it’s small. You can’t bring your baggage through this gate.

The world calls the Christian path "too narrow," but Jesus is clear: He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). There aren't many paths to God—there are only two paths to eternity.

2. The Two Teachers: Watching for the Wolf

Jesus warns us to watch out for false prophets. We often imagine a wolf dressed like a sheep, but Jesus is actually warning us about wolves dressed like shepherds. False prophets often:

  • Speak lies in God’s name.
  • Seek personal gain.
  • Are popular and appealing to the masses.
  • Lead people away from the hard truths of Scripture.

True shepherds are commissioned by God and speak the truth without compromise, even when it isn't popular. Jesus says to be on guard. Don't just listen to the words; look at the life.

3. The Two Fruits: Check Your Harvest

How do we recognize the difference between the true and the false? By their fruit. Fruit is the outward expression of what is on the inside. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Eventually, the truth comes out in our attitudes, actions, and speech.

  • The Fruit of the Sinful Nature: Hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, and selfish ambition (Galatians 5:19-21).
  • The Fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

You might be the "Greatest of All Time" (GOAT) in the world’s eyes, but in God's kingdom, you don't want to be a "tare" (a weed that looks like wheat). You want to be a fruit-bearer.

The "Leaning Tower" Test

There is an old story of a man who had a painting of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in his office. Every day, the frame was crooked. He eventually asked the cleaning lady if she was moving it. She said, "Yes, I move it every morning to make the tower look straight!"

How often do we "adjust" the Scriptures to make our crooked lives look straight?

The Reality Check:

  • Which road are you walking? You can't be on both. If you think you are, you’re likely on the broad one.
  • Who are you listening to? Does your teacher push you toward God’s Word or toward your own desires?
  • What does your fruit taste like? If your daily attitudes and speech were made into fruit, would you enjoy eating them?

A religion that does nothing for your soul and manifests nothing in your life is worthless. A living religion proceeds from a work of grace in the heart and changes everything about how you walk.

 Originally delivered 2025.05.11

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