For wide is the gate … that leads to destruction. Because narrow is the gate … which leads to life. Matthew 7:13–14 Two gates lead to two paths: one wide and the other narrow. The wide path, like the wide gate, is very popular and therefore very busy. There are many people walking here and many things are allowed. The path is inviting, wide enough for deviations as well as for everyone’s own ideas. Here people are free and let themselves be carried away by whatever they like. But there is the other path – the narrow one. This path, according to the Bible, involves obedience to God’s thoughts. Here there may be resistance, hostility and even persecution. But the narrow way is a way with God. When you read of both paths or ways like this, the choice is easy, isn’t it? But wait! There is something crucially important to consider: the broad way ends in destruction; the narrow way, on the other hand, leads to life! And shouldn’t we judge a path from its end? God sets life and death before us: “So choose life, that you may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Many people think religion works like this: We enter life by birth – we strive, live uprightly and honourably, do good deeds ... and at the end of life everything is weighed, and finally the decision is made between heaven and hell. But the Bible speaks very differently. It tells us that right now, here in this life, I have to decide between the two gates and the two ways. So my end depends on my beginning! The one end is perdition or destruction; the other is life. Perdition doesn’t mean dissolution or annihilation. No, perdition means eternal separation from God. The other end is life. It means fellowship with God, glory and eternal life. This is the greatest joy that can be received and it will never be surpassed. (to be concluded tomorrow) Today’s reading: Genesis 42:27-38 · Psalms 29:1-11

For wide is the gate … that leads to destruction. Because narrow is the gate … which leads to life. Matthew 7:13–14 Two gates lead to two paths: one wide and the other narrow. The wide path, like the wide gate, is very popular and therefore very busy. There are many people walking here and many things are allowed. The path is inviting, wide enough for deviations as well as for everyone’s own ideas. Here people are free and let themselves be carried away by whatever they like. But there is the other path – the narrow one. This path, according to the Bible, involves obedience to God’s thoughts. Here there may be resistance, hostility and even persecution. But the narrow way is a way with God. When you read of both paths or ways like this, the choice is easy, isn’t it? But wait! There is something crucially important to consider: the broad way ends in destruction; the narrow way, on the other hand, leads to life! And shouldn’t we judge a path from its end? God sets life and death before us: “So choose life, that you may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Many people think religion works like this: We enter life by birth – we strive, live uprightly and honourably, do good deeds ... and at the end of life everything is weighed, and finally the decision is made between heaven and hell. But the Bible speaks very differently. It tells us that right now, here in this life, I have to decide between the two gates and the two ways. So my end depends on my beginning! The one end is perdition or destruction; the other is life. Perdition doesn’t mean dissolution or annihilation. No, perdition means eternal separation from God. The other end is life. It means fellowship with God, glory and eternal life. This is the greatest joy that can be received and it will never be surpassed. (to be concluded tomorrow) Today’s reading: Genesis 42:27-38 · Psalms 29:1-11