The Narrow Way

Q. Let’s Take Matt. 7:13-17:

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it

I know that this is rather a broad question and I know that God only knows quantitatively how narrow that is, but with what you know, what would you estimate the portion of those who call on the name of Christ actually be who find the ‘narrow’ gate? My reason for asking is that this passage seems to support the case for “lordship salvation” which in my opinion if it were true, heaven was, is, and will be a very empty place.

A. I’m convinced that the narrow way is by faith alone. Every other way requires the maintenance of some kind of behavioral standard in addition to belief. In other words faith plus works. Lordship salvation is a good example.

Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. (Romans 4:4-5)

The Holy Spirit will manifest good works in a believer, but the minute we start working to achieve some arbitrary performance levels to earn or keep something that Lord gave His life to make free, we’ve gone off the narrow road and have joined the throngs who are trying to earn their way into the Kingdom.