The broad way, the narrow way, the highway of holiness

When Adam and Eve sinned, they (and all their children) began to walk down the “broad way” to death. Matthew 7:13: (CSB) “…the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it.” Proverbs 14:12 (ESV), “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” All people are born sinners on the broad way leading to death. It is easy to follow the desires of our flesh and develop all kinds of reasoning to justify our behaviors. The way seems right, but it is not. The great majority of mankind prefer self-will instead of God’s will. 

Matthew 7:13-14 also identifies a second road, the “narrow way.” Matthew 7:13-14: (ESV) “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. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

What is this gate? It is the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:9-10: (NKJV) “(God) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

This way is hard because Christians have vowed to deny themselves, carry their crosses and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). The present evil world, our fallen flesh, and Satan all oppose us. Consequently, when we obey God’s will, we enter into Jesus’s sufferings. Romans 8:17: (NKJV) “and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together.” But the end of the narrow way is life and immortality. Romans 2:7 (ESV), “to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.”

Finally, there is the “highway of holiness.” This highway will open during Christ’s 1,000-year kingdom with the resurrection of mankind. It will be a way of restoration to holiness and to everlasting perfect human life on earth. 

Isaiah 35:8-10: (NKJV) “A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the highway of holiness…Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; But the redeemed shall walk there, and the ransomed (all mankind) of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads…And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Additional Resources: 
Christian Questions Podcast 
Episode #1231: “What if I’m Not Good Enough for Heaven?” 
Uncovering the destiny of humanity’s billions who don’t go to heaven 
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Episode #1174: “Did God Make Heaven and Hell Humanity’s Destiny? (Part I)” 
Uncovering who goes to heaven and what happens to planet Earth
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes