Jesus said, “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
Most people in the world want a Savior but not a Lord. The New Testament is clear: a Savior who is not Lord is no Savior and no friend. If the Old Testament showed us anything, it is that God’s truth was written not for his fascination but for his people’s preservation. Many people today, maybe even most, believe they are saved because they think their good deeds outweigh their bad ones. Jesus, however, is very clear: Most are lost and will not find their own way to salvation (Matthew 7:13-27). Only Jesus is the way to God (John 14:6), and no one can be saved except through Jesus (Acts 4:12). While Jesus longs to be the Savior of all people (John 4:42), he emphasizes that for him to be our Savior, we must also choose to live with him as our Lord. That means we are bearing fruit that displays his righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness in our lives (Galatians 3:22-23). So, let’s live that kind of life, enter through that narrow gate, and produce Jesus’ style of holy fruit as we trust in him as our Savior and Lord!