Exploring the Christian Journey Using Everyday Language
Have you ever walked through a gate into a park and noticed how, in just a few steps, everything changes? One moment, you’re on a busy street with cars and noise; the next, you’re surrounded by trees, flowers, and peace. This is a picture of what Jesus talked about in the Bible when he mentioned the “narrow gate” and “the way.”
The Two Paths: What Do They Mean?
Jesus said that there are two gates and two roads in life. One gate is wide, and the road is broad—it’s easy to walk on and a lot of people choose it, but it leads to destruction. The other gate is narrow, and the road is hard to travel; not many find it, but it leads to life.
Put simply, Jesus was telling us that the Christian journey isn’t always easy or popular, but it’s the path that leads to real and lasting life.
The Gate: A Moment of Decision
Imagine a gate you need to pass through to get into somewhere amazing, like a park or a garden. Before you go through, you’re on the outside, dealing with all the usual stuff. Once you step through, everything is different. Spiritually, “entering the gate” means making a big decision or change—it’s a turning point in your life.
It’s like having a crisis that forces you to choose: Do you stay where you are, or do you step into something new? For Christians, this “gate” is about deciding to follow Jesus, believing in him, and accepting his invitation. This moment can happen in an instant, but it changes everything—it’s going from “outside” to “inside” with God.
The Way: The Journey That Follows
But the Christian life isn’t just about that one big decision. After you enter the gate, there’s a path to walk—a way that takes time and effort. Walking “the way” means living out your faith every day, step by step.
Think of it like this: It only takes a moment to walk through the gate into the park, but if you want to explore everything inside, you need to walk around, take in the sights, and maybe even face a few uphill climbs. In the same way, being a Christian is about making progress, growing, and learning as you go along.
Balance: Both Are Needed
Some people focus just on the big decision—the crisis, the “gate.” Others think only about the daily walk and forget that a real change must happen first. The Bible shows us that both are important. First, you enter the gate (a turning point or big change), then you walk the way (steady, daily living).
If you only walk the path without first going through the right gate, you won’t end up at the right destination. If you only go through the gate but stop there, you miss out on all the growth and experiences meant for you.
Faith: Believing and Trusting
Faith, which is central to the Christian life, also has these two parts:
· Entering the Gate (The Act of Faith): This is the moment you decide to believe in God and trust his promises. It’s like crossing a line from doubt to belief in one clear step.
· Walking the Way (The Attitude of Faith): After you’ve made that decision, you keep trusting God day by day, even when things get tough. It’s an ongoing journey.
Think of someone crossing a river on stepping stones. The first step—getting onto the first stone—is a bit scary, but once you’re there, you keep moving, one step at a time, trusting that each stone will hold you.
Why Is This Important?
Many people wonder why they don’t experience all the good things the Bible talks about. Sometimes it’s because they’re trying to walk the way without having entered the gate—they haven’t made that clear decision to trust God. Or they’ve entered the gate but haven’t kept walking forward; their growth stops.
What’s needed is both: a clear moment of decision (the gate) and the commitment to keep going (the way).
A Simple Example: Entering and Walking
Let’s say you’re given a key to a beautiful garden. At first, you just have to unlock and walk through the gate. That’s the act of faith—the turning point. But to enjoy everything the garden offers, you need to stroll through it, explore, and experience each part. That’s making progress—walking the way.
In Summary
The Christian life, according to Jesus, is about both entering the narrow gate and walking the challenging path that follows. It’s not just about a one-time decision or just about daily living. It’s about both—a moment that changes your direction, and a lifetime of walking it out.
So, ask yourself: Have you entered the gate? And are you walking the way? The real Christian journey is about keeping these two together, finding balance, and experiencing the full life God offers.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 