349. TWO ROADS: TWO VERY DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS

(The Abundant Life Series – Batch 5)

Whether you are aware of it or not, once a person is born into this world, there are two (2) roads before him but only one path that can be taken. Once that person comes to an age where he can reason and knows the difference between right and wrong, he has a choice to make, as to which road to pursue.

One road is broad, the other is narrow.

The broad road has lots of space and therefore ample room to accommodate many people. Not surprisingly therefore, it is and has always been the more popular of the two paths, as most people in the world take and have taken the journey along this path.

The broad road certainly seems welcoming, as, apart from earthly laws and systems, there are no rules. Imagine that: On this road, you get to live as you please, to do whatever seems right in your own eyes and to live as though you are not subject to or accountable to anyone! You also get to enjoy plenty of life’s pleasures to the full and to act on whatever or however you feel, without restriction, inhibition or restraint.

This road looks like freedom and it is a path that promises instant or quick gratification. On the surface, it looks safe and the road to be on but as those who gleefully trod this path in the past sadly learned, all that glitters is not gold. For, they came to realize that, while there are many people on this road, there is no proper guide, no compass. It is a dangerous path to be on, as an enemy lurks on this path like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour.

There are also lots of traps on this road deliberately set to hurt them and many have fallen into ditches. Countless others have suffered the worst kinds of humiliation, disappointnent, sorrow, heartache and grief and some too numerous to mention, have gotten grievously injured or lost their lives at the hands of their blood-thirsty nemesis.

For those who make it to the end of the journey, thinking themselves to be lucky, to their dismay, there is nothing wonderful waiting for them on the other side. For, they suddenly realize that the path they have been on leads not just to a dead-end but a precipice called destruction. All that one can do at that point is to go down and down into it, having nothing but regrets.

The other road is the narrow road. This does not look as grand or as inviting as the broad road and many people decide against walking this path because they think it will be too lonely, too lengthy, restrictive and boring. For, it is not as popular or greatly populated as the broad road, nor is there as much room as on the broad road for people to traverse. You may find one or two people along this path as you journey on it but never the masses that you will see at one time, journeying on the broad path.

The narrow road also requires users to abide by certain divine rules and principles, them being subject and accountable to the Creator of this world. No one gets to do what he or she pleases on this road therefore, at least not without consequences. In fact, persons on this road are sometimes chastened by the Lord who accompanies them on this path, when they display rebellion, stubbornness of heart or plain disobedience to his will and way.

The rules given for living on this path though are not cruel and God does not force anyone to trod on it. He advises that they count the cost before entering on it but those who make the decision to take the narrow road, do so voluntarily. While the rules on this path may seem restrictive, they are not. They are good rules, given by an all-wise God for our liberation from the bondage of sin. He has given them because he genuinely loves and cares about his people and their welfare, him wanting to ensure that they will be successful in this life and that which is to come. If obeyed, as those who went before joyously experienced, the people on this path will thrive and there are no regrets to have.

To those on the broad road glancing from a distance at those on the narrow, it looks like an oppressive and unsatisfying path but nothing could be further from the truth. For, this path guarantees and delivers real freedom!

Those on the narrow road will attest that it is not an easy road, as they keep persevering along this path but they would give it up for nothing because they know that they are being led, even as God led the Israelites day and night when in the wilderness, by the all-knowing, all-powerful God who loves them and wants the best for them.

He therefore protects them while on this path and the evil one cannot touch them, unless he allows it for his own divine purposes. The Lord of this path, Jesus, has faithfully promised those on this road, that it will lead to an everlasting inheritance and they believe him, by faith.

They are on the way to a beautiful destination, even if the part seems treacherous or dangerous at times. As they trod on, at times, they will admit that they feel lonely because many of those with whom they once associated as friends,have decided to take the broad road, thinking it odd that they have taken the opposite path. Yet, the people on the narrow road learn to trust their Lord more and more as they continue on their journey, as he proves day by day that he is faithful and leads them into paths of righteousness.

This path seems longer than the next path but it is definitely worth it. For at the end of it, there is a beautiful promised land which awaits all who took the narrow road, one that exceeds the best of their expectations.

Some insight as to what awaits those at the end of this road who have overcome the challenges they faced while travelling on it was given by John. In Revelation 21:1-7, 10-12 and 18-27, he spoke of the vision that he saw, stating:

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son…

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel…And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

The prophet in Isaiah 35:8-10 also stated of what can be expected at the end of the narrow path:

“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Asaph, a man of God in the Bible, took the decision in his life to take the narrow road, where he would be subject and accountable to God. However because this road is not an easy one, he began questioning certain things while along this path, particularly, why he seemed to be having such difficulty, trials, testings and chastenings, when from how things appeared, those who were at that time traversing the broad road without any regard for God and accountability, seemed to be having a fun time. He wondered if it was worth it to take the narrow road and may have wrestled with feelings of sadness for some time, wondering if to turn back. However, he did not stay in that low mindset but thankfully, he reminded himself of the truth, of how one road would lead to a beautiful inheritance in the end (the narrow path he was on), whereas the other,suddenly to destruction. He realized then it seemed, that he had to think long term and give up what looked like temporary pleasure, for lasting long-term gain. He therefore resolved it seemed, to persevere along the narrow road, no matter how difficult, by continued faith in God.

In recounting his thought processes, Asaph stated in Psalm 73:2-24:

“But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”

Having experienced God’s faithfulness and love, even when he messed up and had to be chastened,David was thankful to be on the narrow road where God was and where he safely led his children. In Psalm 16:11, he stated in full confidence in his God “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Even where there were difficulties, trials and what looked like dangers on the narrow road, David was sure that the Lord would lead him safely through, as a good shepherd would his flock. In Psalm 23 therefore, he declared:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

Like David, Joshua had to make a choice as to which road he and his family would take and he chose the narrow road, which involved serving God. He told the people of Israel:

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Moses also had to make a choice as to which road he would traverse. He was brought up in a Palace, in the very house of Pharoah, the king of Egypt, due to Pharoah’s daughter having adopted him as her own son. However, given that Pharoah and the people of Egypt were on the broad road where the true and living God was not acknowledged, worshipped or obeyed, Moses had to decide if to remain with all the pomp, power and prestige that the broad road afforded or to abandon it all in pursuit of God, who was available to lead all who were willing to be led humbly along the narrow road.

Moses made the right decision. The Bible states that when he became of age, he turned his back on the path of riches which was generously available to him on the broad road, for the sake of pursuing God, on the narrow path!

Hebrews 11:24-27 states of him:

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”

Of how deceptive the broad road appears in terms of its promises of peace, pleasure and prosperity, the Bible states in Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

In Matthew 7:13-14 therefore, in love, Jesus urged people to make the right choice in life to take the narrow road. He stated:

“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.”

The narrow road is therefore the right path, the just path, the correct path that leads to life everlasting. In Jeremiah 6:16, God urged the people of Judah to take this road, so that all would be well with them but they foolishly refused to their detriment and therefore paid a hefty price. God’s prophet told the people:

“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

How about you? What road are you on?

The good thing is that once you are in the land of the living, even if you are on the broad road that leads to destruction, you can turn back, get off of it right now and take instead the narrow road. You don’t have to remain on the broad destructive path and wait to see if what has happened to people throughout the ages on this road, will happen to you or whether you will be the only exception. Don’t kid yourself. You will not.

God’s Word tells you how you can get off this road and take the next, where Jesus Christ his Son and Lord, guides you through and safely.

If you feel convicted in your life of the path you are on presently, then “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts…” God is speaking to you. He loves you and wants you to make the right choice to leave the path that is sure to lead to your demise, so that you can enter the path that leads to everlasting life. Do not remain on this path to be tripped up and fall prey to the enemy of your soul. Get off of it while you can, as it is indeed a dangerous and treacherous path to be on.

The narrow road which is the safer of the two routes and one that guarantees your security and salvation is available for you to get on to, through Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, he stated of himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” In John 10:9, he also stated, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

Jesus is therefore the only way to gain access to the narrow road where God leads his children to eternal life. To enter in, there is no need for you to pay anything or to do any great feat. Jesus already paid the price for all your sin and rebellion to God, while you were on the broad road. It is now for you to accept that this has been paid and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the saving of your soul.

In particular, Romans 10:9-10 states that all you must do is (1) believe in your heart by faith (given that you never saw it with your eyes), that the Lord Jesus Christ who died many years ago when he came to earth, rose up again from the dead (because he is all-powerful and is Lord over death) and (2) confess the truth with your mouth, that Jesus is Lord.

The scripture states:

“That if thou shalt CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH THE LORD JESUS, and shalt BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

(Written on 05^th and 6th November, 2025)

Dear Reader, if you found the above Article to be interesting, informative, beneficial or edifying, you may also be interested in reading the following:

Under the ‘BIBLE-BELIEVING Daughters’ page: