Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt. 7:14.

It is because faith in Jesus Christ is so crucial to salvation that it requires so much of us in terms of our genuine response. One does not drift into the kingdom of God. One does not walk the narrow way by accident. There are no short cut to eternal life. Paul wrote of fighting the "good fight of faith," of laying "hold on eternal life" (1 Tim. 6:12).

Most of our failures in life are usually in the direction of lukewarmness. Most of us have reason at times to be ashamed of our unwillingness to make sacrifices for God. We confess to dry and casual formalism in much of our worship.

The narrow way is both high and difficult. Few there be that stay on it. We easily descend to the broad road. It is more comfortable. Men are easily bored with religion. The grandeur of God's cause becomes tempered to our moods. We are content to accommodate the faith of our fathers to our indifference, and God's requirements to our weakness. It seems easy to go along with the crowd, as typified by the hobo. When asked how he decided which way to go, he replied, "I always go with the wind at my back."

True Christianity presupposes a total response to Jesus Christ and to His way of life. We must beware of lowering our moral and spiritual ideals. We need to behold again the glory of God's character, the beauty of His moral law that stands far above the ways and codes of men. Insight into the narrow way and courage to take that road are required at a time when the world is distinguished by its departure from it.

Let its seek enlightenment and power from God as the only true solution to the moral and spiritual problems of our time. Let us hunger and thirst for His righteousness. Let us ask God to give us an eye single to the glory of God, a braver and warmer heart and mind. It costs to develop a life of prayer and devotion. It costs time and effort to feed on the Word of God. Thus we become empowered with might by the Spirit of God. No more do we drag our feet in God's cause. The fire of the Spirit burns within the soul to stir us to accomplish great things for God.