Is the Narrow Way Really That Hard?

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
¹³"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. ¹⁴For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

Rightfully, this verse has been used to speak about our salvation in Jesus Christ.  The road to destruction (Hell) is wide and easy, but in the end all on that road will suffer for eternity.  On the contrary the road to life (Heaven) is narrow and hard, but in the end all on that road will life in the presence of their creator forever.  I cannot and will not disagree with these statements because they are true.  But many times I have overlooked a simple word in verse fourteen that not only speaks about salvation, but the life of the one saved.

The life of a Christian is not an easy one.  It is filled with persecution in many different forms and comes with a changed life from one of the flesh to one of the Spirit.  But why do many believers (including myself at times) get upset when life throws us hard times?  Sickness comes, jobs are lost, family members pass away, money is short, and we seemed surprised.  It's as if we expect life to never have problems because we know the Creator God.

But in reality, the narrow way is hard.  There is a reason that very few find it.  It's so darn hard. 

The life of one individual was particularly difficult.  He was rejected by his friends and family.  He was continually badgered and harassed by those who despised him.  He was accused of a crime that he did not commit.  And in the end he was even rejected by God.  If the life of our Savior Jesus Christ was hard why should we expect anything different.  If the word rejects God it will reject His children.  But in the end life is awaiting us on this narrow road.

Amen.