The Way that Leads to Life The way that leads to life is hard because believing is hard, obedience is hard, and giving up things we’ve become attached to is hard. The way is hard that leads to life, but it worth traveling.

The way is hard because believing can be hard Jesus recognized the difficulty (John 4:28; 12:37; 7:5) Satan creates impediments! (2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Luke 8:12) Man-made philosophy (Colossians 2:8) Human suffering False teaching (Galatians 3:1) Misplaced priorities (John 5:44; 12:42-43)

The way is hard because it requires obedience Obedience to the gospel is necessary for salvation (2 Thess. 1:8; Romans 2:8) Yet some who believe the gospel refuse to obey – especially when it comes to baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16) The few who enter heaven are those who “do His commandments” (Rev. 22:14)

The way is hard because you have to give up things The rich young ruler would not do this (Matthew 19:16-26) Many find it hard to give up things they cannot keep in order to gain things they could possess for all eternity (Mark 9:43-48) There are things we must leave behind to walk the narrow and difficult way that leads to life (1 John 2:15-17; Col. 3:5-10; Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3)