Bible Truth #80 - Matthew 7:13-14

Matthew 7:13-14

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Of course Jesus is talking about being saved and that He is the gate (John 10:7). But why did Jesus say only a few find it? Why didn’t He say, only a few will choose it? The Greek word used here is a word that can mean find, get, obtain, perceive, or see. (Strongs #2147) It never comes close to meaning to have the ability to “choose” correctly.

Since “find” might lead some people to infer someone is seeking, I don’t think that “find” is the best translation of the Greek word word in this context. Why? Because it is written in Psalms the wicked won’t seek God (Psalm 10:4) and Paul writes in Romans 3:11 no man seeks God. So I think a more accurate translation would be with the word “get.” Jesus said “...and only a few get it.” Get what? Salvation and Eternal Life! Why? Because God chose only a few!

The point of this “Bible Truth” is that Jesus did not say only a few will choose it. The word “choose” is used all through the New Testament - mostly by God choosing, and is even used by Jesus a number of times - most notably in John 15:16 when Jesus said, “You did NOT choose me, I chose you...” (Please consider that)

SO! For Jesus to say only a few will get saved AND You did not choose me... It’s pretty clear that, just like the lost sheep and the lost coin, if you’re saved you BELONG to God and had NOTHING to do with your salvation, you had nothing to do with being chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), and you had nothing to do with being dragged to Jesus (John 6:44).

We become children of God not by the will of the flesh (John 1:13).