"Narrow Is the Way That Leadeth Unto Life"

Many who claim to be Christians, believing the Bible is the revelation of God, think all who profess faith in Christ and/or "receive Him into their heart" will be saved eternally. But is that notion based on Scripture or the teaching of men?

Jesus personally warned about false teachers and inspired His apostles to do the same (see supporting passages at bottom of article). His words, copied below, indicate the scope of the deceiver's success:

Matthew 7:13-14 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.

Jesus said few will find "life," but in view of how much evidence there is that Christ was who He said He was, how can that be if mere belief in Him brings life? Evidently, the reason that "few" find "life" is the success of the devil through false teachers, about whom Jesus warned us. Where do you suppose the devil would achieve the most success in making it difficult for people to find life? He would concentrate on fundamentals of the faith, the most important being the matter of what is involved in being saved. The Bible teaches faith, repentance, confession, and baptism. But the devil's plan was/is to get people to accept a modified version of God's plan that results in causing many to think they are saved when they are not. Remember, Jesus said,

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Mat 7:21-23).

In the above text, Jesus speaks of people who considered themselves faithful followers, but whom He never knew. How can that be since they had faith and confessed Christ and did many wonderful works? Consider the possibility that they listened to false teachers instead of doing their own study and making their own decisions regarding what one must do to be saved.

Is the teaching that one is saved at the point of faith ("faith only") not a modified version of God's plan to bring people into His family? Does this belief not leave out essential parts? Since God provided two examples of faith that did not result in salvation, is it not apparent that "faith only" is a false teaching (James 2:19; John 12:42)?

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Colossians 2:20-23 (ISV) If you have died with Christ to the basic principles of the world, why are you submitting to its decrees as though you still lived in the world? "Don't handle this! Don't taste or touch that!" All of these things will be destroyed through use because they are based on human commands and teachings. These things have the appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion, humility, and harsh treatment of the body, but they have no value against self-indulgence.

Albert Barnes commentary:

After the commandments and doctrines of men - Many of the ordinances on which the Jews insisted were those which were handed down by tradition. They depended on human authority only, and of course, should not bind the conscience. Others take the words here to mean, "All which things tend to the corruption of religion (Doddridge), or are cause of destruction or condemnation (Robinson, Lexicon), by the use of these things, according to the commandments and doctrines of these men."