Strength in Numbers...

August 9, 2009

Danielle Joyner Kelley

"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 road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14.

Most people today find solace in the “strength in numbers” argument. The reasoning is that the majority must be right, or else everyone would not all agree. However, when the majority ends up in a disagreement, change is called for. History will tell you that it is the “few” not the “many” that bring about change.

Due to the fear of disagreement and appearing as playing the fool, people crave more evidence today from both the “many” and the “few”. However, as the change makers, the “few” are engaging in action rather than talk. The evidence that comes from their side will come later rather than sooner.

Jesus Christ was one of those few. One man’s walk on Earth has spread throughout the globe and become the hope and salvation for “many” who are still considered the “few”. Those on the fence on this issue want more evidence and listen to the “many” convince them that there are no facts to back up the position of the “few”.

Meanwhile, the “few” know that the doubt in their position was predicted, and that God’s word does not predict anything that does not come to pass. “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11.

However, those who still do not believe are affected by all that Jesus did. If you ask them what year it is, they will have an answer. The believer knows that answer comes from the fact that one man’s walk on the Earth split time in half into B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (after death). If you ask the non-believer what Christianity is, they will tell you it is a religion and that they know people who are Christians. The believer knows that this answer comes from the walk of one man on Earth who preached words that crossed the globe for thousands of years.

When the non-believer says they still do not believe because there is no evidence, the believer knows that answer comes from the fact that Jesus’ message told us we live by faith and not sight, and that only “few” will find His gate which leads to life. The non-believer argues that the believer is in the position of the “few” in this life, and that this is no promise of a good life because on Earth the “many” are favored. The believer knows that this answer comes from the walk of one man on Earth who said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. The “life” the non-believer is referring to is not the one the believer is thinking about.

However the “many” have no evidence to tell the non-believer that wherever we go after death is not eternal. The believer knows that it is, and that this life is only a fraction of their total existence. “Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.” Psalm 144:4. The difficulty for the believer is not in knowing whether or not the non-believer will get the evidence they desire, but lies in the fact that when they do, it may be too late.

The demand for more evidence and for a sign was already predicted by the “few”. If those on the fence need evidence, there it is in black and white. Thousands of years ago, their desire for more facts was told. “The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. “He replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.” Matthew 16:1-4.

The believer knows that by the time others reach a decision it may be the moment when the choice to make a decision is taken away. For that reason, the believer carries out the rest of God’s word and prays for the non-believer to no benefit of their own here on Earth. That prayer is a last push to get those on the fence through the narrow gate.

However, God’s word will not return to Him empty, and the believer knows that no matter how much they push others towards that gate,

Few will find it…