Two Paths

In Jeremiah 21:8, God is saying that He has placed two paths before us, one leads to life while the other leads to death. We make the choice. Let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about these two paths. Jesus said this about the two paths in Matthew 7:13, 14 ESV,

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

The Good News Translation puts Proverbs 12:28, this way,

Righteousness is the road to life; wickedness is the road to death.

In light of these two verses, we see the pathway to life is righteousness and is narrow. While the easy wide path of wickedness leads to death. Just look at the world today everything goes, but once you say that you take a stand for something that is not what the world stands for then you have a myriad of phobias. That is their excuse to dismiss you from making a difference in this world. For the world is on the other path of wickedness which leads to destruction.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.                         Proverbs 14:12 ESV

Again,

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.                         Proverbs 16:25 ESV

Interesting in the same book the same warning is repeated within two chapters apart.

The Amplified brings out a little bit more in the meaning of what Jesus said in Luke 13:24.

Strive to enter through the narrow door [force aside unbelief and the attractions of sin]; for many, I tell you, will try to enter [by their own works] and will not be able.

So if the way to life is so hard to find, how do we find it? We start with Proverbs 3:5-7 ESV.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Let’s go back a couple chapters to Jeremiah 17:9 ESV,

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

It is in that verse we find out why we can’t follow our own understandings because they will lead us away from God. When we trust Him with all of our heart we have given Him control of our life which will set our feet on the narrow path of righteousness.

 

(Photo by Jens Lelie on Unsplash)