THE BROAD WAY OF DESTRUCTION

“DESTRUCTION and MISERY are in their WAYS” – Romans 3:16

God, by His Word, consistently warns humanity to avoid the BROAD WAY of DESTRUCTION: “DESTRUCTION and MISERY are in their WAYS” (Rom.3:16). This passage depicts all of condemned humanity on the Broad way, headed for destruction. We noted yesterday that there are only two options before us all: the Broad way that leads to destruction and the Narrow Way that leads to life (Mt.7: 13-14). Let’s meditate on the characteristics of the Broad way, so that we would avoid it, rather than being eternally deceived to follow the alluring, but wrong and destructive path!

The broad way, preceded by a wide gate, is so easy to find, unless one makes a conscious choice to avoid it. Most people like this wide road – “there are MANY who go in it” – because it’s comfortable, easy to access, popular, culturally acceptable, and trendy. One can enter the wide gate and carry along all of one’s sins: the bigotry, hate, intolerance, lust, prejudice, and selfishness. What those who enter through the wide gate and travel the broad road realise too late is that it leads to doom and destruction, rather than to life. All the attractive “promises” the broad way gives – of enjoyment, satisfaction, and fulfilment – end in disappointment and regret, because it’s a path without God.

There are no restrictions, inhibitions, or rules on the broad way. The extremes of humanity are on this express road to hell: “the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars” (Rev.21:8a). Sadly, there are also some moral people and even church people on this road. The Lord Jesus says, “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Mt.7: 22-23). Such externally religious, but self-deluded persons, were on the broad road all along, thinking they were eternally secure!

The broad road is also a crowded road as there are many who go in by it. This way is characterised by conformity. We always hear, “Everybody else is doing it.” No other reason except everybody else is doing it. Most people lack the moral courage to stand alone – to stand for righteousness! In the sight of Christ, whoever tries to keep one foot in the world and one foot in the faith, who try to ride both roads – are actually on the broad road! If every other student cheats, it’s better to stand alone and get a C if necessary. If everybody at work lies to rise, it pays to stand alone – above board. God will honour and bless those who choose to live for Jesus Christ; who take a stand for Christ. He’ll open unimaginable doors for such.

The broad road is deceptive:  “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Pro. 16:25). Some folks say, “Well, I’m going to follow my conscience.” But the conscience is no safe guide: it can be hardened; it can be dead; it can be seared – rendered insensitive, left with a dulled sense of right and wrong (1Tim.4:2). Such a conscience will mislead. Some others say, “If I try to do my best and live by the Golden Rule, I’ll eventually get to Heaven.” But salvation is by Grace only through faith, “not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). We can’t work our way to Heaven. No one can build up enough good works to get to Heaven. The only way you can get to Heaven is through Christ (Acts 4:12).Being sincere wouldn’t get one to Heaven! There are many people who are sincere in their religion, but are sincerely wrong.

The broad way is a fatal road: “The way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psa.1:6). Hell is separation from God. It’s a place of outer darkness, where the soul will be alone in utter darkness, separated from all that is good, right, and holy; separated from God forever! May we never follow the Way of destruction!