Is this statement biblical? Please give me your opinion

[Your closest friendnt]

50 minutes ago, SIC said:

I honestly got the impression that the pastor was worried that people will be offended if he says the door is narrow so he just added the ' wide' part just to make it more palatable for the congregation.

This isn't the first time. He did not want to use the term 'Spiritual Disciplines' he chose to use 'Habits of Grace'. And that is just one example. Deliberate coddling IMO.

What is this statement? 

"Jesus holds the narrow gate wide open".

The gate into the city...

The gates  in the example of Mathew 7:13,14 do not have doors....

In this example the gates are an opening into something...as the gates of a wall city as we approach it from the outside are the opening into the city, and not all the cities are alike...

Here in Mathew we are presented with two pathways.

One pathway is wider than the other pathway, this is to denote the fact that more people will seek to be on that path, and the other path it is considerably travel by a lot less people as a given fact. 

This is a detailed in this example that we ought to bring it to our attention and if we do not we may and it will lead us to missunderstand the point in the making.

It says: first "many enter through it" referring to the people who are traversing the wide gate that many enter through it.

It does not say and we cannot make it say that by DEFAULT everyone who is found to traverse this path has no other choice but to enter the wide gate....it does not say that all will enter it but that many of those people who are at some time will enter it.

 

1 hour ago, appy said:

 

Matthew 7:13 and 14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.   But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.…

 

[Your closest friendnt]

2 hours ago, appy said:

I'm not sure what your pastor was intending to teach. But it almost sounds as if after entering the narrow gate, it then opens up wide.  As if to say that we can keep an open mind where our conduct is concerned. That it doesn't require a changed life.

 But it is a misconception to think that life will be easy and simple or that we can continue on with a sinful life after entering the narrow gate. The gate is narrow, and the way remains narrow.  There will be problems, difficulties. It’ll be rough and It’ll be crooked at times. But by going through the narrow gate and traveling the narrow road, we are assured eternal life through our faith and trust in Jesus to give us eternal life.

Matthew 7:13 and 14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.   But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.…

The above passage is speaking of two different gates, NOT just one.  There is no other alternative, one or the other. We can not go through the narrow gate and the wide gate too.  One or the other.   Jesus has outlined the way and the method of getting to Heaven.

The wide gate does not require us to give up sinful lives. It doesn't require us to trust Jesus with our lives. The wide gate, with its wide path leads to destruction and separation from God. Many enter through the wide gate, and follow the wide path.

All our sins and bad habits can not fit through the narrow gate.  It is too narrow.  Entering through the narrow gate and traveling the narrow road means that we are willing to renounce the sinful life, with all of its bad habits and leave them behind. Committing ourselves to Christ.

Few find the narrow gate, and travel the narrow way (road) because they are unwilling to give up a sinful life with all of its bad habits.  If anyone is willing, God will give them the strength to turn from their sins.  And then by faith  receive Christ as their Savior. It is by faith that we receive eternal life, and commit our lives to Christ.

 

The reference in your post to Mathew 7:13,14 

2 hours ago, appy said:

Matthew 7:13 and 14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.   But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.…

 

Is noted above....

Your commentary that follows is not following the discipline found in the passage above...

You did not keep your commentary of Mathew 7:13,14 within the text of that passage. 

There must be a reason why I bring this to your attention and this is not because I am looking forwards to find my self in some kind of distress as it is found in Mathew 7:14...neither I seek to be prosecuted or be in disfavor with anyone (and that's not about you). 

And people remember and they want to remember when it is not about fairness anymore, but about having the honor and so is perceived of defending something. 

I do want to bring something to your attention but I am somewhat restrained at the moment, but reading the scripture reference of Mathew 7:13,14 and your commentary about it we can distinguish (without commenting on the issues raised by your commentary) that your commentary does not follow the discipline of the language in Mathew 7:13, 14.

And as you have not given any other scripture reference I can not say in what scripture reference your commentary it is justified, that remains to be seen if scriptures are posted that supports the proposed of your commentary and we have people from all the world who reads the posts and would like to have scripture reference even if it is obvious to someone else.

Hope I am not misunderstood 

One example is that the reference to Jesus and the reference to "Eternal Life" within the meaning of the Gospel, when Mathew 7:14 is referring to "life" within the meaning of those who were at that time in obedience to the Jewish religious Calendar.

And there is nothing in Mathew 7:13,14 to justify comments that the people had or had not faith in Jesus Christ as we have faith in Jesus Christ in the message of the Gospel that Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins and raised for the dead..

And the message of a Heavenly Inheritance after death in Mathew 7:13,14. 

As Jesus Jesus Christ spoke in Matthew to those who were under the Law seeking to be in favor with God by being obedient to the Law of Moses, or the Law God. 

This happened during the times of the Sinai Covenant and did not apply to the whole world...

Jesus Christ was in a conversation with the contemporary people of his time the jews among the others.

Edited September 30, 2021 by Your closest friendnt

[Guest]

On 9/27/2021 at 2:39 AM, SIC said:

'Jesus holds the narrow gate wide open'. Is this statement biblical?

No.