Is the road less traveled and the straight and narrow path one and the same???

Question

Figuratively speaking...

In the Christian religion, we talk about the straight and narrow path. Today my pastor spoke about this in the sermon. He used the analogy that the reason a path gets wider is because it is used by a lot of people.

What do you think? Does this mean that those Christians who follow the straight and narrow path are willing to be individuals, rather than blindly following someone else?

If so, how do you know where to find the straight and narrow path?

Voters, please take a look at all the great answers given. I can't decide which is the best because several of them are worthy of the ten points. How about you all deciding on this question?

But, please vote for one of the answers that gives a good explanation and compares these two paths.

Answer 1

no it's not

Answer 2

You can find the straight and narrow path in the Bible. As for the analogy, they could be the same. Less people follow the Christian road than the non-Christian one.

Answer 3

'The road less travelled' means living life not as most people do, or choosing a vocation/career that not many people would choose, or making a decision/choice in life that not many people would choose.

'A narrow path' generally, and in the context that you mentioned, means keeping to the rules and ideals of the faith.

They mean different things, and are not necessarily opposed or similar to each other eg only a minority of people would choose to be pastors, priests, nuns, etc, so doing so would be to be on a 'road less traveled'. In this case, one can also say that it is a 'straight and narrow path' because one has to keep to the religion's rules/ideals (but I would differ - see below).

If one chooses to back pack round the world, that is also to be on 'the road less traveled', since only a minority would choose to do so. To back pack round the world is certainly not traveling on a 'straight and narrow path' - !

Q: "Does this mean that those Christians who follow the straight and narrow path are willing to be individuals, rather than blindly following someone else?"

No - in this context, Christians who follow the straight and narrow path means those who follow strictly the ideals/rules of Christianity - one would like to think most Christians do that, so Christians aren't being individualistic, since they are following the same rules/ideals of the faith together with all Christians in the world. Of course, if Christians are a minority where you live/work, then that would seem you are not following the majority who are not of the Christian faith, and hence one would think one is being individualistic and not following the crowd eg in a college where the majority are not Christians. You would seem to be following the straight and narrow path, since everyone else is not following the rules/ideals of Christianity.

...........now, I would leave this as a thought for the reader - following Christ is *not* following a 'straight and narrow path' - which seems to imply that it is such a restricted life to do that.

For example, one can view not drinking alcohol as a straight and narrow path. However, if one were to have children, and seeing the effect of drinking and driving, not drinking alcohol seems a loving and sensible thing to do, rather than as a 'straight and narrow' path.

So it is with the other ideals of faith - see them as guide posts to a loving and sensible way of living, rather than restrictions to a straight and narrow life.

Q:"If so, how do you know where to find the straight and narrow path?"

Try not to look for the straight and narrow path - 'Life is short - so make it wide." - Native American saying....and may I add - travel well.

Good luck.

Answer 4

A road less traveled is refering to just that. A road that most people don't take, walk down or otherwise follow. It's associated with a person who is their own person and doesn't follow the crowd.
The straight and narrow refers to walking the path without straying. Doing what is right so to speak.

Answer 5

That's an interesting perspective. i think it coincides with the saying "do not go where the common path may lead. instead, go where there is no path, and leave a trail.", and it gives a similar perspective. the lesson here is that we, as Christians, are sometimes called to create our own paths, instead of following the wider, already existent paths. Jesus sets this example, as he has created a pathway where there was previously no path, and has left a distinct trail, which we are now encouraged to follow. in life, the straight and narrow path may sometimes be difficult to find, as we are often tempted to take the wider, more commonly used path that offers a much easier way. therefore, the challenge is that we as Christians are called to create our own pathway where there was previously none, and in walking our pathway through life, following in the light and footsteps of Christ, that we may leave a trail that would encourage others to follow in this path that leads towards Christ and salvation.

~PhoeniX~

Answer 6

They are completely different. Unbelievers follow the wide path because it is the much easier path. You can sin as much as you want and just sin sin sin. But in the end this path will lead to an eternitiy in hell. If you follow the "road less traveled" you will have a much more difficult time. You will have to stand up for your faith and follow Gods words. Although it is a more difficult path to follow it leads to an eternity in Heaven. As to find this straight and narrow path accept Jesus as your Savior and the journey begins.

Answer 7

The road less traveled and the straight and narrow path ARE one and the same, because very few people actually follow the straight and narrow without taking a few detours along the way.

Answer 8

The straight and narrow path would be the one that most people follow. The one less travelled would be the one that people with open minds willing to take some risks would follow. Yeah, it may be a little scary, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Answer 9

The "lot of people" the pastor referred to was the Pharisee's way of trusting in their own works for salvation and righteousness. Most people on earth believe that if they are good enough, they'll go to heaven. Pretty wide road!

The narrow way preached by Christ is that no one has enough righteousness to enter the kingdom of God (read Romans 3). This does not mean that those on the road are willing to be individuals, but are willing to call themselves sinners in need of a Savior to lead them. We we don't think we need a Savior, then we believe we are good enough by ourselves. That is the individualism God calls a lie.

Following God is not "blindly following someone else." It is finally acknowledging that you have been following the wrong things all along and have seen the wisdom of following the right person--a God who loves you very much, and has all ability to help you overcome your sins and bring you to glory.

Answer 10

That goes in the face of Jesus' words in Matt. 7:14. Narrow and cramped is the road leading to life and few are the ones finding it. Your pastor wants to confuse roads with you.

He would have you believe nothing is required of you except "say" you have faith and believe in Jesus. Jesus is God and not the Son of God. It is fine to blend idolatry and false religion with following the Christ of the Bible. Relax, once you have been "saved" you can do anything you want.

Guess what? They are all lies! The Bible does not say any of those things! In fact, it says the opposite in most cases.

It is more convenient for your pastor to teach these things as they are more popular than the truth. The Bible shows the majority do not want to expend the effort needed to find or walk the narrow cramped road.

Answer 11

Have a star for putting my favorite poet (Robert Frost) and my favorite book, (The Bible) in a single question.

Are you familiar with the parable of the Pearl of Great Price? The guy sells all he has for one beautiful pearl.

That is what being a Christian is about. like a poker game---you go "all in" or you don't. There are many of us...including me...who are not "on fire' around this stuff. But there is a straight path and a narrow way to walk if one wants salvation.

However...

the crucifixion and resurrection give us the hope, (if not the certainty) that our sins have been forgiven if we have honestly tried to be the kind of people that God would have us be.

this is tough stuff to swallow. I am struggling with it myself. ]

just read, study, pray, and think. those are all things that, I think, God would like us to do.