Articles
The Road Not Taken
The short poem by Robert Frost of the same title has inspired many to write of the various choices we may make in life, with the author anticipating a time in the future when he would be looking back on the road not taken, but also noting that he had chosen “the one less traveled.” I am fairly certain everyone can relate to his thoughts of someday looking back at our choices, but it is less often that individuals choose “the one less traveled”; it is a fact of life that we tend to choose the road well-traveled.
In spiritual matters, we know there are two choices — a diversion of two roads of a sort — and, like the man in the Robert Frost poem, when we choose one, it is likely we will never come back to that point again and choose differently. It is not impossible or even unheard of, but the choices we make in spiritual matters are quite often choices that last a lifetime. It is often a choice of how we live the rest of our lives.
Jesus illustrated this truth when He spoke of the two ways in which men travel, with the admonition, “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” (Matt. 7:13, 14). In these words are some important warnings worthy of our consideration, no matter where we may be in life. While it may be difficult to change direction in life, it is not “too late” until you no longer walk among the living. Consider, for a few minutes, the two choices.
The Road Well-Traveled. Jesus first speaks of the way where “many” travel, the one where “wide is the gate and broad is the way.” We might say that this road is ‘popular’ because it is well-liked and because so many choose this way. It is popular because it is easy to travel this way. We might liken it to a newly-made interstate highway where the road is smooth and straight, with numerous wide lanes to make our travel easy. That is truly the picture Jesus uses to describe this way, and that is without a doubt the way most people will go in life.
This way is the one where we sometimes simply go along with what ‘everyone else’ is doing; we may not even think much about why we chose this way, other than noting ‘most people’ also chose it. Maybe we convinced ourselves, “This many people can’t be wrong!” Maybe we just felt more comfortable choosing that way because so many other people also chose that way, and we have come to believe the old adage about ‘safety in numbers.’ Maybe, we chose this way because it did look easier than the other way, and everybody seemed pleased with their choice and their lives seemed to be more enjoyable.
This is the road the psalmist also noted in his observations. It was the life of those he noted was one where “there are no pangs in their death,…their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men” (Psa. 73:4, 5), and one where “Their eyes bulge with abundance; they have more than heart could wish” (Psa. 73:7), and they “are always at ease; they increase in riches” (Psa. 73:12).
But he also described these ones as “the boastful…the wicked” (Psa. 73:3), and “the ungodly” (Psa. 73:12). Because they seemingly prospered in life, “pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment” (Psa. 73:6), and “They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth” (Psa. 73:8, 9). These are the ones who chose this way of life and they revel in their worldliness and ungodliness and arrogantly proclaim, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?” (Psa. 73:11). As if God does not see them.
But just as Jesus noted this way “leads to destruction” (Matt. 7:13), the psalmist “went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end” (Psa. 73:17). That broad, smooth path they traveled, and the riches and the ease of life were merely distractions from the inevitable destination and termination point of that road. While life may have appeared to be easy and nothing but one pleasure after another, eternity would be unbearable!
This sad truth was illustrated in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, told by Jesus (Luke 16:19-31). In his earthly life, the rich man “was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day,” but after he died, was “in torments in Hades” and sought for the slightest bit of relief, which would not come. Understanding his fate, he then sought to warn others who remained on earth, but was told, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” We should “hear them,” too! They would tell us, “Don’t take the easy way!”
The Road Less Traveled. In Frost’s poem, the writer took the road less traveled, while wondering about the one he did not take. It is this road less traveled, spiritually speaking, that we equate with the one Jesus described as one where “narrow is the gate and difficult is the way” (Matt. 7:14). It is one that is admittedly difficult, but it is not impossible to traverse. It is the life of a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ where one is promised not a life of ease and comfort, but one where “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
This is the way that most people will not choose or will purposefully choose not to take because it is difficult. But those who do choose this way are those who are “not…conformed to this world, but…transformed by the renewing of [their] mind” (Rom. 12:2). These will be the ones who reject the way of the world and choose to “Set [their] mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). They are the ones who “do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). They are not distracted by the lure of the life of ease and riches and pleasure, for they know such things are temporary, at best, and seek for things eternal.
Sadly, there will be many others who choose a path they falsely believe is the way to eternal life, but is actually just another path to destruction cleverly disguised by our adversary and enemy to deceive them into following him to hell. These deceived ones will stand before Christ in the final judgment and say to Him, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” and He will tell them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matt. 7:21-23). How sad it will be when those who thought they were traveling the road to eternal life discover they had been deceived!
But, friend, is that you? Could it be that you think you are following Christ when, in reality, you are merely following the creeds and ways of men? Are you a part of one of the thousands of denominations created by men, and not actually a part of the Lord’s church at all? Don’t be deceived, and don’t just dismiss this without investigation; your eternal fate is on the line! Could it be that the road you believe will lead you to eternal life is actually the broad, smooth way that leads to destruction?
Friend, now is the time to take out life’s ‘road map’ — the Bible — and see which road you are on! — Steven Harper
