The straight and narrow, the term in itself is oft used. It means we must renounce the world and all who are a part of it – unfortunately for our flesh embodiment this means undergoing a deal of pain in being born ‘again’ – as childbirth is a painful affair, to give life to the seed of the spirit we must undergo asceticism, it is the inevitable suffering of the flesh, so that life may spring forth from within.
“You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain.” —Song of Solomon 4:12
“And they will spring up among the grass Like poplars by streams of water.” —Isaiah 44:4
“I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.“
—Psalm 69:8
“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?”
—Luke 18:8
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.”
—Luke 21:17
Know this; the narrow road is a solitary one. As it is narrow in nature, you cannot walk alongside another. It is your path to take, yours alone.
Ask yourself. Are you walking in the spirit, or walking in the ways of the world?
The true path is not comfortable. We must be born into new form, as metal is forged by fire, and hardened by water.
“You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water, Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.” — Psalm 66:12
The road for the true believer is many times a lonely one. The hard road to the cross is one that is seldom congested or busy. The narrow road is most often a solitary way which the popular crowd is unwilling to tread.
Especially in the times in which we now live.
Particularly for those who warn of the danger of the broad way. The world and many who name themselves diligent in the faith want an easier rite of passage.
“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.“ — Matthew 7:13-14
The true believer in YHWH is a man or woman set apart. Friends, family and acquaintances will often pull away and return to the world. Some are seduced by the glitter of the world’s shininess; some hear the world’s siren song whispered in their ear; others are drawn by lying promises, whatever they may be.
Many will leave the person of YHWH to continue his walk without human companionship, so is the nature of the world – it is written that it shall be this way, think not unkindly of yourself, you must become detached – it is the Way.
We are never alone. He is watchful over us, guiding our steps, inculcating our spiritual ruach as we are washed in, and purified by the Holy Word.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is YHWH Elohim who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6
The loneliness of the faithful man results from his walk in light in a world of darkness, a walk that must often take him away from the fellowship of fellow men of Spirit as well as from that of the unregenerate world. His bodily instincts cry out for companionship with others of his kind, others who can understand his longings, his aspirations, his absorption in the love of Yahusha; and because within his circle of friends there are so few who share his inner experiences, he is forced to walk alone.
The man [or woman] who has passed on into the divine Presence in actual inner experience will not find many who understand him. He finds few who care to talk about that which is the supreme object of his interest, so he is often silent and preoccupied in the midst of noisy religious shoptalk. For this he earns the reputation of being dull and over-serious, so he is avoided and the gulf between him and society widens.
It is this very loneliness that throws him back upon God. His inability to find human companionship drives him to seek in God what he can find nowhere else.
It is this loneliness that brings us closer to YHWH, it is this dividing line that was meant to be – for us to leave behind this world and embrace Him in the perfect image, Yahusha, the innocent, blameless Son of Man.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” — John 14:6
“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.”
— Psalm 23:4
Yahusha says that narrow gate leads to a “hard” road, one that will take us through hardships and difficult decisions. Following Yahusha requires crucifying our flesh (Galatians 2:20; 5:24;Romans 6:2), living by faith (Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 10:38), enduring trials with Yahusha-like patience (James 1:2–3, 12; 1 Peter 1:6), and living a lifestyle separate from the world (James 1:27; Romans 12:1–2). When faced with the choice between a narrow, bumpy road and a wide, paved highway, most of us choose the easier road. Human nature gravitates toward comfort and pleasure. When faced with the reality of denying themselves to follow Yahusha, most people turn away (John 6:66). Yahusha never sugar-coated the truth, and the truth is that not many people are willing to pay the price to follow Him.
Most revealing of all is the sight of that One of whom Moses and all the prophets did write treading His lonely way to His execution, His deep loneliness unrelieved by the presence of the multitudes.
‘Tis midnight, and on Olive’s brow
The star is dimmed that lately shone;
‘Tis midnight; in the garden now,
The suffering Saviour prays alone.
‘Tis midnight, and from all removed
The Saviour wrestles lone with fears,
E’en the disciple whom He loved
Heeds not his Master’s grief and tears.
-WILLIAM B. TAPPAN
He died alone in the darkness hidden from the sight of mortal man and no one saw Him when He arose triumphant and walked out of the tomb, though many saw Him afterward and bore witness to what they saw.
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.“
—Luke 14:33
“And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
—Matthew 19:29
The Spearhead Journal 