- This story really highlights the importance of discipline both on and off the field. Staying on the "straight and narrow" isn’t just about sports but about life choices that shape our future. It reminds me how crucial it is to keep focused and not get distracted from what truly matters. For anyone following sports closely, keeping up with live scores is a great way to stay motivated and connected. I recommend checking out https://livescores-24.com/africa/ghana-premier-league/ — it’s an excellent site for real-time updates on games worldwide, helping fans never miss a moment.
Two Ways To Live
As a football coach, I had the task of not only coaching my athletes for the game but helping them stay eligible to play the game. Every day I would ask them, "How are your grades?" Every day they would respond, "My grades are great, coach." And every progress report that the same athlete would be in study hall instead of practice. I would admonish them with,"Boy, you need to get on the 'straight and narrow.' You are about to lose the opportunity to play football."
The "straight and narrow" refers to Jesus' saying in Matthew 7:13-14, 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it."
What is Jesus talking about?
There are two ways to live.
Jesus describes life as a journey on a road. A person must pass through one of two gates to get to life's final destination. Depending on which gate you enter determines the road you will walk. The road you walk determines how you will spend eternity.
The Road That Leads to Destruction
Jesus describes the gate as wide and the road as broad. This implies that the gate is easy to get into and the road is comfortable for traveling. Because of its easy access and leisurely walking, many people are walking on this road.
Jesus warns you, though, this road leads to destruction. The Greek conveys the idea of final ruin, or as ACDC puts it, the "Highway to Hell." In these two verses "life" refers to eternal life. In the same vein, "destruction" refers to your eternal ruin.
Many people are on this road because it is the road all of us begin our journey. Every human being is born into this world with a sinful nature that rejects God's rule (cf Romans 5). David says that he was sinful from his mother's womb (Psalm 51:5). David also says that all of mankind has turned away and is corrupt, not even one is righteous (Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-5). Paul says that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory and that the wages of our sin are eternal ruin in hell (Romans 3:23; 6:23).
Many people are on this road because it is the most natural one we walk. The road to destruction only requires us to walk according to our sinful will. It allows us to keep our morals relative and our hedonism legitimate, all the while we offend a holy and just God.
The Road that Leads to Life
Jesus describes the gate as narrow and the road as difficult. This implies that the gate is restrictive, and the road is impossible to walk by yourself. In order to get through the gate, the Father must draw you away from the broad road toward the narrow road (John 6:44). By faith, you must accept Christ as the only way through the gate of life. You must repent of your sin and trust in Jesus's death as your substitutionary atonement. Meaning, you believe that Jesus's death on the cross was sufficient to remove God's wrath on your behalf. You trust, by faith, His blood pays your sinful debt to God. By faith, you are confident that Jesus gives you His righteousness so that you can stand in the Father's presence for all eternity (John 6:37-48).
Very few people are on the narrow road because it takes an act of God to get there. God must do His work in your heart for you to have eyes to see and ears to hear the gospel (John 3:1-17, 6:37-48, Acts 9). That being said, very few people are on the narrow road because they are content with being on the broad road. The things of God are foolish to them and they have no desire to change lanes and exit off to the narrow road, where good and eternal life awaits them.
My athletes lied to me, and themselves, because it was the easiest road for them to walk. Report card day was at least five or six weeks away. Friend, don't lie to yourself. You have more to consider than playing in a football game. You have no idea when you will have to give an account for your life. Today is the day you exit off of the interstate of the world, and onto the narrow gravel road of the kingdom of God. Every true disciple of Jesus is on this road.