by A. W. Pink
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there he 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
The verses to which we have now come are closely connected with the previous sections of the Lord's Sermon, in which He had described the character of those who were the subjects of His kingdom and had laid down the rules by which they must walk. Such teaching as He had given out was at direct variance with the popular views entertained by His hearers. The Jews supposed that they were all to be the subjects of the Messiah, simply from being the natural descendants of Abraham and because they bore in their flesh the mark of the covenant. But throughout this discourse the Lord Jesus had made it abundantly clear that something more essential than physical lineage and submission to ceremonial rites was required to make them spiritual heirs of the patriarch. There was a straiter gate which had to be entered than any privilege which natural birth gave admittance to, a narrower way to be traversed than that religious life mapped out by the scribes and the Pharisees. Only those are accounted the true children of Abraham who have his faith (Rom. 4:16), who do his works (John 8:39), and who are vitally united to Christ (Gal. 3:29).
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Table of Contents
The Way of Salvation - Matthew 7:13-14
Narrow Is the Way Which Leadeth unto Life - Matthew 7:14-15
False Prophets: Deniers of the Necessity of Holiness - Matthew 7:15
False Prophets: Among the Orthodox - Matthew 7:15
True and False Prophets Contrasted - Matthew 7:15-20
False Prophets Concluded - Matthew 7:15-20
Profession Tested - Matthew 7:21-23
The Works of the Workers of Iniquity - Matthew 7:21-23
Conclusion - Matthew 7:24-27