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.

The perceptions of the natural mind might lead you to believe that finding salvation is difficult. If no one ever explained to you the concept of the narrow way and the strait gate as it related to the beliefs of the times, it would be easy to misunderstand.

The narrow way and the strait gate are indicators of individual salvation. Only one person could find safety at a time. The concept of individual salvation was totally foreign to Israel at the time. They had a national identity and they were looking for the Messiah to come and save them from Rome as a nation. Jesus was telling them that their expectation was wrong. The broad way was the false expectations of national salvation. Many longed for that and they would not look for the narrow way.

As for the strait gate, a strait gate does not bind or hang up, it is easily opened. The strait gate opens to the inside welcoming you in, bidding you enter. If it did not it would hinder your entering in.

As for the few find it, let me point out a little secret. Few find it on their own. Most of us need to have someone tell us where salvation is found. The concept of few is not in the number finding salvation but finding on your own.

Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Will you share the way to salvation?

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Growth in a natural sense means outgrowing your old shoes. It is obvious when we are younger. We stand as tall as we can against the door jam where mom or dad marks our growth. We even see if we are taller than our siblings at that age. We cannot wait to grow up. Leaving things behind doesn’t even enter into our minds. We see them as child’s play.

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

When I was a man, I spoke as a man, I understood as a man, I thought as a man, but when I became a Christian, I put away manly things.

When I was a Christian, I spoke as a Christian, I understood as a Christian, I thought as a Christian, but when I became disciple of Christ I put away christianese things.

I am a disciple and I speak as a disciple, I understand as a disciple, I think as a disciple and when I am perfected I will be with Christ, I will have left this life behind.

Philippians 3:13-15 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Letting go of things is a sign of growth.