“The way ordained by God as revealed in the Bible—the narrow gate and the narrow path of life”

 

“The way ordained by God as revealed in the Bible—the narrow gate and the narrow path of life”

Matthew 7:13–14 “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 is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Aspect	The way ordained by God as revealed in the Bible—the narrow gate and the narrow path of life
Theme	The God-Ordained Way Revealed in the Bible — The Narrow Gate and the Constricted Way of Life (Matthew 7:13–14)
Meaning	1. The way God has ordained for His people to live and serve on earth is a narrow gate, constricted way—a way of restriction, limitation, and discipline. 2. This way is not the wide, worldly, natural, sensational path, but the way of life, walking according to the spirit, and living by God’s measure. 3. It is the way that leads to life, producing growth, maturity, fruit-bearing, and the building up of the Body.
Distinction	1. The Broad Way (leading to destruction): • According to the world’s system, natural methods, and fleshly tastes (Matt. 13:31–33). • Focuses on outward success, crowds, human enterprise, and religious achievements (Rev. 2:13, 20; 17:4–5). 2. The Constricted Way (leading to life): • According to divine principles and spiritual requirements. • Not a miraculous path, but the normal growth of life (John 15:1–6). • Brings in the chosen ones, bears testimony of Christ, fulfills God’s economy, and builds the Body (Rom. 1:9; Rev. 1:1–2, 9–10).
Reason (Why God Ordains This Way)	1. The nature of God’s life itself is restricted and limited (John 5:19, 30). 2. In the spiritual realm there is no broad way; everything is under the law of life (John 15:2). 3. God desires His people to grow by life, not by miracles or outward achievement (2 Cor. 10:13–15). 4. This way accomplishes God’s building, producing the growth and maturity of the Body (Col. 1:28–29).
Means  (How to Walk in the God-Ordained Way)	1. Walk according to the spirit (Rom. 8:4; Gal. 5:16). 2. Accept the pruning of life (John 15:2). 3. Live according to the measure God has apportioned (2 Cor. 10:13–15). 4. Live under restriction and divine regulation (1 Thes. 5:16–18). 5. Follow the Lord’s pattern—His living and ministry were entirely a restricted, narrow way (John 5:19, 30; 4:34; 17:4).
Result (Fruit of Walking in This Way)	1. Growth of life—healthy and vigorous. 2. Bearing remaining fruit year after year (John 15:16). 3. Bringing in the chosen ones and perfecting the saints. 4. Bearing testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:9–10). 5. Fulfilling God’s economy and building up the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:12–16). 6. Deliverance from worldly corruption and destruction (Matt. 7:13).
Examples  (Biblical + Church History)	1. The Lord Jesus: Did nothing from Himself, but only what the Father spoke and did (John 5:19, 30; 14:10). 2. Paul: • Not by miracles, but by each one—shepherding with tears, house to house, laboring (Acts 20:19–20, 31; Col. 1:28–29). • Not going beyond his measure, nor exalting himself (2 Cor. 10:13–15). 3. Tree of Life pattern: Growth not by miracles but by the normal law of life (Gen. 2:9; John 15).
Application (How Believers Practice Today)	1. Daily practice entering the narrow gate and walking the constricted way—rejecting the natural broad way. 2. Accept limitation and adjustment from environment, church life, and the Body. 3. Seek to bear one remaining fruit each year, not outward success. 4. Serve every saint “one by one,” not merely in large public settings. 5. Do not maintain man’s enterprise but fulfill God’s economy.
Burden  (God’s Desire for the Church Today)	1. All saints would walk the way of life, not the religious broad way. 2. The church life would be a training of restriction and regulation. 3. Lead believers into a normal, healthy, fruit-bearing Christian life. 4. Produce overcomers who walk the narrow way to fulfill God’s economy.
Prophesying Guidelines (How to Prophesy in Church Meetings)	1. Testify of experiences of the narrow gate and constricted way in daily life. 2. Share on walking according to the spirit and the Spirit’s regulation. 3. Testify of receiving pruning and restriction for growth in life. 4. Prophesy Paul’s pattern of “each one” perfecting (Col. 1:28–29). 5. Encourage saints to pursue bearing remaining fruit annually.
Scripture References	Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:22 (“This way”) 2 Peter 2:2, 15, 21 (The way of truth, the right way, the way of righteousness) Luke 1:79; Romans 3:17 (The way of peace) Acts 16:17 (The way of salvation) Matthew 22:16; Acts 18:25–26; John 1:23 (The way of God, the way of the Lord) Matthew 13:31–33; Revelation 2:13, 20; 17:4–5 (Characteristics of the broad road) Romans 1:9; Hebrews 11:5–6; Revelation 1:1–2, 9–10 (The narrow road leads to the purpose of life) John 5:19 30; 4:34; 17:4; 14:10, 24; 7:16, 18 (The Lord's Example—A Narrow Life) Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:16, 22–23; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (Walking in the Spirit) 2 Corinthians 10:13–15 (Measure and Limitation) John 15:1–6, 16 (Pruning, Bearing Fruit) Colossians 1:28–29; Acts 20:19–20, 31 (Paul's "Every Man's" Ministry)

 

Conclusion: 

The God-ordained way is the only way that leads to life, builds the Body, and accomplishes God’s economy. It depends not on outward achievement but on inward restriction, discipline, and the normal growth of divine life. The more we walk this constricted way, the healthier and more living we become—and the more we become God’s testimony on earth.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7, The Most Important Aspects, Week 7: Entering Through the Narrow Gate and Walking Through the Narrow Path That Leads to Life, the Blessed Glory of the Kingdom Forever.