Few There Be

Jesus said, “Enter ye in at that strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). At times it seems that fewer and fewer are following the Lord. Still, every step of our journey is worth the effort because God has promised salvation to everyone who follows Him.

Note how a few faithful followers is all that God has ever needed. When the world was in ruin, God saved only a few obedient souls: “…the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water” (1 Peter 3:20).

When Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, desired to lead Israel into change and apostasy, there were just two tribes (Judah and Benjamin) that remained with God. Though the majority went astray, the Bible has always sounded this warning: “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil…” (Exodus 23:2).

Just two spies (Joshua and Caleb) committed to being on the Lord’s side when it was time to take the promised land. Ten of the twelve spies delivered an “evil report” (Numbers 13:32) that discouraged the people from doing God’s will. Sadly, many are guilty of the very same sin so long later.

On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), approximately 3,000 souls were obedient to the Gospel (Acts 2:41). While that number may seem very high, it’s really only a small percentage of the estimated one to two million that might have been present on the occasion.

In Revelation 2-3 the Lord addresses seven churches located in Asia Minor. He has displeasure toward all but one. Sadly many who think they are pleasing God are mistaken.

The world rejected Jesus, and John tells us not the be surprised if it rejects us, too (1 John 3:13). Instead of asking, “How many are following the Lord?”, we need to make sure that we (and our families) are following the Lord.