As we journey through life from birth until death, one day we will suddenly encounter two gates.

The gate of righteousness and the gate of hell!

Both gates are opened, inviting you to enter.

You stopped before these gates and began to ponder. Which gate should I choose?

There are no labels on these gates. You can only make your choice base on the outward appearances of these two gates.

One gate is made from pure gold and is adorned with refreshing plants and flowers, which emanates a pleasant aroma and a peaceful glow.

You can hear the sound of water falls and the soft chirping of birds coming from this gate.

The other gate is made from sparkling diamond and decorated with multiple precious stones.

The glow from this gate is like the radiant heat of fire.

Pulsating music flows from this gate. Its energetic rhythm is stimulating and lively.

Which gate will you choose?

Both gates are attractive, but one of these gates promises immense wealth and fame while the other gate promises peace.

Which gate will you choose?

One of these gates promises pleasures with multiple friends while the other gate only guarantee one friend who will be your constant companion in trials and relief.

The Large Wide Gate

One gate is larger and wider than the other gate.

Suddenly, a multitude of people rush pass you to storm through the wide diamond gate, shaking its foundation.

You quickly held on to a nearby tree to avoid being trampled by the crowd.

Surely, this is the gate that you need to enter.

“This is where the action is!” You thought.

Even though the golden gate is nice and pretty only a few elderly people walk through its narrow entrance.

“I don’t want to be with a bunch of boring old people,” you thought.

However, as you were about to run behind the crowd you heard a strong voice in your head telling you to wait and think about it some more.

Study these two gates more carefully.

So you slowly sat down under the shade of the tree and looked closely at both gates.

The huge diamond gate is beautiful. You remember your grandmother always tell you that not everything that glitter is good for you.

You, then, remember your Sunday school teacher years ago use to tell you that the wider gate is popular, but it leads to destruction while the narrow gate is unpopular, but it leads to life.

Immediately, you begin to recall all the verses about gates that you use to memorize in Sunday school.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. (Matthew 7:13 NKJV)

The broad gate is pretty, but it is not good. Could this gate be the gateway to hell that Jesus spoke about?

 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 NKJV)

Yes, this is the gate of hell that leads to eternal death.

If you enter through this gate, you may gain wealth and fame but you will lose your joy and peace.

Behind this gate, you may lose your mind and your health and you will definitely receive eternal death.

As you continue to think about the Word of God this large sparkling gate become less appealing and you turn your attention to the narrow gate.

The Narrow Gate

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV)

Therefore,

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. (Luke 13:24 NKJV)

The narrow gate is also beautiful, but not in the same manner as the other gate.

This gate has a beauty that is pure and refreshing. It seems to radiate life and vitality.

Could this be the gate of heaven? (Genesis 28:17)

Could this be the gate of righteousness?

Could this be the gate of the Lord?

As I ponder on this gate you find yourself rising from my slumber and and begin to walk towards the narrow gate.

You enter through the golden gate and and something miraculous happens to you.

Those burden of problems that weighed heavily upon your shoulders are immediately lifeted.

The bitterness of unforgiveness was melts away.

The memories of past mistakes fades away.

An overwhelming feeling of love and companionship envelope you and you begin to glow in their warmth.

“This is my destiny!” You cried “This is where I belong!”

Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, Through which the righteous shall enter. (Psalms 118:19-20 NKJV)

Therefore, I will

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (Psalms 100:4 NKJV)

My friends, if you are at the place where you need to make a decision between these two gates, I pray that you will make the right choice.

Which gate will you choose?