Life is full of choices. Some are small—like what to eat for lunch or which route to take to work. Others are life-altering—where to go to school, who to marry, how to raise your family, what to believe. Jesus knew that when it comes to following Him, we all face a crossroad moment. In Matthew 7:13-23, He laid out three important choices, and they’re just as relevant for us today.
Choice #1: The Wide Path or the Narrow Path
Jesus tells us plainly: the wide road is easy, popular, and full of people—but it ends in destruction. The narrow path, however, is harder and less traveled, but it leads to life. Why? Because the narrow gate is Jesus Himself. In John 14:6, He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Walking the narrow path doesn’t mean life will be smooth or simple. It often requires sacrifice—laying down worldly desires so we can pick up our cross and follow Him (Mark 8:34). But while the wide road is crowded and fleeting, the narrow way is eternal, filled with purpose and hope.
Choice #2: Good Fruit or Bad Fruit
Who are you letting shape your life? Jesus warns against false prophets—people who look good on the outside but lead others away from truth. His advice? Look at their fruit.
Do their words align with Scripture? Do their lives reflect the character of Christ? The voices we trust shape our beliefs, and our beliefs shape our actions. Surround yourself with teachers, mentors, and friends whose fruit is rooted in God’s Word.
Choice #3: Genuine Faith or Counterfeit Faith
Perhaps the most sobering part of this passage is when Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” Ouch. That means it’s possible to appear spiritual on the outside—going to church, volunteering, even doing ministry—without actually knowing Jesus.
The real question isn’t just “Do I know Jesus?” but also “Does Jesus know me?” Genuine faith is marked by a living relationship with Him—time in prayer, time in Scripture, obedience in everyday life. When we walk with Him, our faith naturally produces good fruit.
Living It Out
The narrow path is never the easy one, but it is always the right one. It leads us into deeper intimacy with Christ, helps us discern truth from lies, and ensures that our faith is more than a performance—it’s real, alive, and known by Jesus Himself.
So, what will you choose today? Will you follow the crowd on the wide road, or will you trust Jesus and walk the narrow path that leads to life?