AND ONLY A FEW FIND IT

AND ONLY A FEW FIND IT

This is the greatest sorrow of the human race. It is that only a few find the way to life. Just a few! A handful! A remnant! Just a scoop of the hand! This is baffling. 

Why that? Why will this happen on the watch of anyone who should make it and who obviously heard the warning - that the road is broad and the gate is wide that leads to destruction but narrow is the gate and way that leads to life. 

Matthew 7:13-14, KJV

"13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

As I meditated in study, it occurs to me that only a few come to God for fellowship even out of the numerous Christians or those claiming to be born again. Then, only a very few obey. The masses disobey, earning for themselves, "depart from Me for I know you not...."

You see, the crux of the matter is not only that you are born again (that is very crucial for eternal life and anything you'll be in the kingdom). It is that after being born again, you remain in fellowship and sync with God. Fellowship with God is however a two way thing. If you claim someone as your friend but he doesn't know you or could say the same of you, I wonder if indeed he is your friend. 

The many Christians who are born again are in this danger of not walking with God. They popularly know God or have His knowledge but I don't think God knows them. As a matter of fact, many ministers are also here. They may even work miracles and prophesy but God may still not know them.

Matthew 7:23, KJV

"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

You may wonder and ask in great lamentation, "why." The answer is in the verses that precede that outright act of Jesus. 

Matthew 7:21-22, KJV

"21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?"

They'll fail and be rejected because they didn't do the will of God. May I ask, "how can we find and do God's will?" By being careful to do what the Bible says. This is where living intentionally comes in. A Christian that'll cultivate the presence of God cannot be careless or be one that doesn't take heed to himself. Else, he becomes unfit. 

To study and be with God often, I have to fight to create time for Him. Often, I know what it costs me to create time for fellowship. I even know what it costs me to leave my phone somewhere for a while. I know what it means having pressing calls and not picking them for the time being. I know what temptations I face and had to overcome to keep the fire burning. 

Then, I wondered and reasoned aloud, "if I could break through all these with much sacrifices, I believe there will be many who are trapped outside there who are easily beset by the addiction that gets them and takes them away from fellowship with God. It may be the exhilaration of being on social media. They have not been able to say "no" to the things that easily win their affection so they can be part of the few that find "the narrow way." This time - of constant fellowship with God. 

When that place says conclusively, "and only a few find it", I'll like you to imagine a promised beautiful city ahead of some weary travellers. Their assignment is to reach that city which lies somewhere ahead of them. However, the road to finding that city (where they can rest and be catered for) is littered with diverse temptations, distractions and difficulties. Let's say a hundred people set out on the journey. As they travel, the number of the traveller decreases because some die of thirst, diseases, succumb to temptations - go after the world, backslide, love mammon and would prefer early comfort than waiting to reach the gates of their golden city. Also, some could have refused to compete according to the rules of the race. Let's say there were obstacle crossings but were jettisoned by the larger number because they wanted to make it to the city quicker. That's what Paul speaks about when he says, "know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain" (I Corinthians 9:24, KJV). 

It means you can run and not obtain. That happens when you break the rules and are disqualified. You will have done futile labour. 

At the end, if ten out of the said hundred made it to that city - having survived all temptations to cross lanes, keeping to the requirements; that can be likened to the idea being communicated in that verse that says, "and only a few find it."

It means, it is the process that is passed through in getting something done that matters and that process leans them down and asks for discipline, thoroughness and godliness. The disqualified were ended and left without because they couldn't adhere.

Let me tell you this...

Doing the right things is hard. Therefore, only a few ever find it. 

Studying the Bible in this world of distraction isn't easy. You have your phone, TV and online algorithm to flood you with the numerosity of what you like to see (the lust of the eyes, flesh and pride of life). Therefore, only a few could exercise control, determination and strong will to snatch themselves away from those and invest it in being with God, understanding His will and hearing His voice - journeying with Him day in, day out.

Or don't you know that scrolling on social media and doing nothing but snacking is easier than working at something because you want to leave a legacy behind? That's why only a few ever find it and become tangible.

Those who ever succeed in this life are few. Why? Many have defined success wrongly. If it is not glamorous, stretching to the ends of the earth and on a very large scale, it is not success. Therefore, many have envied the placement and platforms of other men to the detriment of who God called them to be and where He would want them serve/remain allocated. So, instead of doing the will of God quietly and in secrecy at times, they lived the one their parents, social media and popular influencers advertised to them. They therefore missed the will of God - disobeying Him!

The people who are not praying through Jesus are more than those praying through Him. And then, the people praying amiss through Him are far greater than those praying correctly and having their prayers heard yet through Him. 

In all things of life, it is only a few that find the narrow way and enter it or live their lives by its demands.

Even in Christianity, we're still arguing tithing as the correct doctrine for a New Testament Christian when what is recommended or allowed for a New Covenant Christian is generosity and giving as he decides or purposes in his heart and that without the attachment of any definite percentage. We've now boxed the man who should give generously, secretly and as he decides without being manipulated, prescribed to or coerced to give 10% of all he earns. We therefore err! If we have found the way, we should live by the way. 

Even in nutrition, the populace eats what will drag their body down and slow their mental capacity. Only a few exercises control over their appetite and mouth - fasting and living as minimalists. Only those found the narrow way but the broad way is filled with coveters of wealth and ravenous eaters of meals that'll make them fatigued, obese/unfit and eventually delivering them to the hospital or gym to slug it out, fearing for their lives as they experience difficulty in breathing. 

The Sermon on the Mount repeatedly calls us to a way of life involving obedience, righteousness, forgiveness, purity, love of enemies, prayer, trust in God and doing the Father's will. Ask yourself, "how many people ever find these to do?" That'll tell you what number is truly in the way even out of the so-called Christians worldwide. 

The narrow way involves things such as:

Being poor in spirit (5:3). Are you?

Hunger and thirst for righteousness (5:6)

Showing mercy (5:7)

Purity of heart (5:8)

Reconciling with your brother rather than nurturing anger (5:21–26)

Sexual purity, including purity of the heart (5:27–30)

Loving your enemies (5:43–48)

Giving without seeking human applause (6:1–4)

Praying sincerely rather than hypocritically (6:5–13)

Forgiving others (6:14–15)

Not making material wealth your master (6:19–24)

Trusting the Father rather than being consumed by anxiety (6:25–34)

Not hypocritically judging others (7:1–5)

Treating others as you would want to be treated (7:12)

Continue to make examples over examples and you'll see that we are likely vulnerable of missing it and not been part of those few that find the narrow way across an area of life. 

Therefore contextually, the narrow way is the way of Jesus' kingdom, trusting Him and living according to His teaching.

The broad way is the alternative, living according to the values and desires of the world rather than submitting to God's kingdom.

And Jesus' warning is particularly sobering because the broad way is attractive, popular and spacious while the narrow way requires deliberate entrance and faithful perseverance even when it's not easy on you. Nobody denies you'll not often get where you'll say, "not my will but Your will, Father." Only that deferring to Him is what matters. 

Today, I'm inviting you to choose Jesus and the narrow way above anything. 

The strait gate being spoken of in a sense also refers to Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "...neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12, KJV). 

Also, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6, KJV). 

Meaning, you can't believe to reach heaven or the Father through any other prophet, great man or saviour other than Jesus Christ. Before any lives by His principles or standards, he needs to be born again first of all. 

The Bible also says, "and He shall be called Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matt.1:21). 

The world's population as of 2026 is 8.3 Billion. Going by the 2020 Pew world population estimates, Pew pitches the world's population at roughly 7.9 billion and gives this distribution. 

Christians are 2.3 billion. That's 28.8%.

Muslims are 2.0 billion. That's 25.6%.

Religiously unaffiliated are 1.9 billion. That's 24.2%.

Hindus are 1.2 billion. That's 14.9%.

Buddhists are 324 million. That's 4.1%.

Other religions are 179 million. That's 2.2%.

Jews 14.8 million. That's 0.2%.

India is particularly interesting because it is overwhelmingly non-Christian. The latest official Indian census religious data is still the 2011 Census. The government reported:

Hindu: 79.8%

Muslim: 14.2%

Christian: 2.3%

Sikh: 1.7%

Buddhist: 0.7%

Jain: 0.4%

Other religions/persuasions: 0.7%

Religion not stated: 0.2%

Yet, as of 2026, India is the world's most populous nation, having overtaking China. More so, a 2018 Chinese General Social Survey found this approximately true of China.

90% religiously unaffiliated

4% Buddhist

3% folk religion

2% Christian

1% Muslim in China. Therefore, China is 98% non-Christian. 

Now, still using Pew's 2020 global figures, Christians are 28.8% while non-Christians are 71.2%. It means for every 100 people in the world, 29 are Christians and 71 are non-Christians.

Now, let us take this analysis inward. Out of the 29 of 100 that profess to be Christians, we know half or more than half of them may not even be born again at all. Let's say that leaves us at 14 out of 29. That's after removing those who just filled Christianity into the box as their religion because their parents are from Christian ancestry (treating it as a mere religion). 

Now, let's say the remaining 14 are those who are born again globally. I guess this is where you are but we need to test things further. How regular is your fellowship with God? How good is your first love and zeal? Has mammon substituted God in your life? Has the cares of this world choked God's word in your life? By the time we let this 14 pass through this filter, I bet it with you that we may have 5 or less than that. We may then have born-again Christians whose tongue have cleaved to the roof of their mouths, forgetting how to sing or pray to God and observing all that the Lord has taught and commanded us to do.  

That's why that verse generally says, "and only a few find it." NLT says, "...but the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."

Abiders in the way are few - very few!

Note these two words - "narrow" and "difficult."

If your Christianity doesn't cost you something daily - of your time or putting you at risk etc, you may want to check if you're still on the way that leads to life. One proof that shows you have strayed is that you no longer exert to live intentionally. Now, everything is by convenience. If it is not convenient, you won't do it. So, obedience is no longer your template to live by because it inconveniences you. This proves that you've backslidden long ago. The way that leads to life is difficult and that's because it places demands on us. It tells us how to live and how to get in. You have to drop certain baggage before entering. If not, you cannot find admission. And that's not all, you have to totally surrender, make the Lord Jesus your Lord and not only Saviour. Once He becomes your Lord because you're allowing Him to take decisions for you and lead your life, then you're in hope of making it and eventually finding life.

Have you not read the Scripture that says, "8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:8, KJV). 

That was said of many religious men of Jesus' day - the Scribes and Pharisees. When last did you have a conversation with the Lord? When last did you come around to bask in His glory and enjoy time with Him as if He's your fiance/fiancee? When last did you ask counsels of Him, obey and do those counsels? How often do you live by the word of His mouth and revealed will as written in the Bible? Or, you're just calling Him, "Lord, Lord" without doing His will?

All these are indicators that'll prove for you where you're heading and where you may end. If you're not careful, you might as well transgress and jump into another road altogether and that one promises nothing but destruction. There are many that find it. Those ones cannot sacrifice anything to follow Christ. Those ones cannot bear to take His yoke upon them and learn of Him. They prefer self rule to Christ's rule. They do whatever they like. 

Check! Which road are you on? Are you operating by commitment and intentionality or convenience and ease? That speaks loud enough about what lot you have chosen and what journey you're on and then where it'll end. 

Enter through the strait gate and walk the narrow way, because the narrow way leads to life, and only a few find it. If you have entered through Christ, do not turn back to the broad way simply because the narrow way demands obedience.

Count yourself blessed when obedience to God’s Word costs you something. When others consider His commands too demanding, do not abandon them. The difficulty of the way does not mean you are on the wrong road; it may be evidence that you are refusing to follow the broad way. The narrow way is not another salvation after being born again; it is the way of life Christ calls His people to walk.

The narrow way is narrow because it restricts the flesh. It requires us to forgive when we would rather retaliate, remain pure when impurity is popular, love when hatred seems easier, give when selfishness feels more convenient, and obey God when disobedience would be easier. The gate and the way belong together: we enter through the strait gate and then continue on the narrow way that leads to life.

So, do not measure the rightness of your path by how many people are walking on it. Jesus said that many enter through the broad gate and travel the broad way, but few find the strait gate and the narrow way that leads to life.

If the path demands obedience, self-denial, purity, forgiveness and sacrifice, do not assume you have chosen the wrong road. You may simply be walking the very path Jesus said leads to life. Do not abandon that path because it is difficult, unpopular or demanding. The narrowness of the way is precisely what makes it different from the broad way: it will not accommodate everything the flesh desires. Therefore, remain on it, continue in Christ's teaching and keep walking in obedience to God.

Olusola ADEJUMO,

M'Wings. 

Morning Wings Ministry,

Nigeria. 

+234 81 3704 6812

morningwingministry@gmail.com