The way to heaven is narrow, because there is only one way to enter. As Jesus Himself declared, “I am THE way and THE truth and THE life. No one comes to the Father except by Me” (John 14:6). Therefore, it is only through faith in Jesus as our Savior that we can enter heaven, not through outward attachment to a church or reliance on obeying God’s law.
In today’s epistle reading, the writer piles up reasons to avoid falling away from the faith. Returning to reliance on the law to save ourselves is useless. Why would we want to go back to the law, when we are under the gospel’s grace? Those who rebel against God in work righteousness, in reality which is unbelief in His gospel promise, will receive unending punishment in hell. God’s mercy is broad and deep, but is found in only one place, the promised Messiah.
Some from the chosen nation of Israel had rejected that narrow door of the LORD. Yet in Isaiah, the LORD, the covenant God of “free and faithful grace,” gives a promise to the faithful remnant of believers gathered from the four corners of the earth: the name “Christian” will endure with blessings for those who keep their faith in Jesus.