Strait is the Gate, and Narrow is the Way

A popular thought of the day is that if a church is not growing in numbers, then God is not working or the church is not alive.

Studies are conducted to find out how to better appeal to people and draw them to attend church. "Re-defining" church and what it stands for are quite popular topics. The preaching of the cross and the Gospel message are altered to attract more interest. II Timothy 4:3-4 prophesies this trend: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." People will listen to sermons more readily if they hear only what they want to hear.

Jesus Christ's message is just the opposite of the current prevailing wisdom. His words are: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
--Matthew 7:13-14

Few will come in broken repentance through the strait gate and, in humility, walk the narrow way. The only way which leadeth unto life will hold few travelers.

If we are traveling in a path populated with many other travelers, if our beliefs are popularly accepted by many, if we consider ourselves "broad-minded" and can align our thoughts with various ideas and philosophies of the day, then, according to the words of Christ, we could very well be in great spiritual danger.