Thanks, GC.

I should have included this in my last post, which follows my concluding quote:
I was going to highlight the most important points, but I would have highlighted the whole thing! It is clear that one hasty moment can cause our fall, but to rise again requires "more than a moment" and needs from us "hard fighting" and "toil, time, perseverance, patience, and sacrifice." As in climbing Mount Everest so also in our climb toward the heights of glory to which we are called - going up is more difficult than going down.

Just look at your own personal experience. This shouldn't be difficult to see. Think of when you've been actively fighting against God, and when you've been in peace with Him and serving Him, and ask yourself which was more difficult.



No, He didn't. He said it was "tethlimmene;" which is "narrow," not "difficult."

The SOP comments on this verse, as already cited:



Do not therefore conclude that the upward path is the hard and the downward path the easy road. Sounds like we're having trouble believing how good the Good News is! Can it really be case that the upward path is not the hard one, and the downward path the easy one? Yes indeed! This is the truth! Rejoice!



I quoted Gal. 5 earlier. Also common sense should tell you that God wouldn't allow you to be lost without doing anything about it. Do you know the poem the hound from heaven? Here's how it starts:



It communicates the truth that God loves us, and searches for us, and will leave no stone unturned, within the constraints of agape, for our salvation.



Of course not. No one has suggested this. What I've said is that:

1.The yoke of Christ is easy, and His burden light.
2.The yoke of sin is hard, and its burden heavy.
3.It's easier to serve God than it is to fight against Him.
4.If we consider the times in our lives when we've fought against God, and when we've been closest to Him, we will see from our own experience that the times that we have been closest to Him bear testimony to Jesus' words that His yoke is easy, and His burden light, and that these times were easier then the other.
5.We should not conclude that the straight (or narrow) path is the hard one, and the broad path is the easy one.

Every Christian must be a learner in the school of Christ; and there is need of diligent and persevering effort to reach that standard of righteousness which God's word requires. {LP 232.2}

This work of self-subduing requires determined, continuous effort. In fighting the good fight of faith, obtaining precious victories, we are laying hold of eternal life. This warfare requires most strenuous effort, the exertion of all our powers. We are to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts. {YI, December 22, 1886 par. 6}

I've never actively fought against God. My greatest failures are when I just let myself do what comes naturally. No effort at all, and I reap corruption. Just as the SOP says.

Peace with God only comes through stern battles with self. When I put forth every effort to obey, especially against the clamors of my nature, I have peace.


Have you read EGW's narrow way vision? Narrow is difficult. The path gets harder.

Of course, falling off the path would be much more painful.


Again, you are conflating easy=less effort and easy=less pain.

As I said, I agree with you that God's way leads to less pain. But you said you are also saying that it takes less effort. That's where we disagree. But your quote is stating facts that (I think) everyone here agrees with.

Let me try to clarify something. Maybe we're talking past each other.

Are you saying that being holy requires LESS effort that being corrupt?

No. I'm saying the following:

1.The yoke of Christ is easy, and His burden light.
2.The yoke of sin is hard, and its burden heavy.
3.It's easier to serve God than it is to fight against Him.
4.If we consider the times in our lives when we've fought against God, and when we've been closest to Him, we will see from our own experience that the times that we have been closest to Him bear testimony to Jesus' words that His yoke is easy, and His burden light, and that these times were easier then the other.
5.We should not conclude that the straight (or narrow) path is the hard one, and the broad path is the easy one.

"tethlimmene" is a Greek word. It means "narrow," not "difficult." Narrow is a different concept than difficult. Narrow has to do with options. There's only one way to be saved, which is Jesus Christ. He is the narrow, or straight, way.

But we should not conclude that the narrow way is the difficult path, and the wide path is the easy one.

"Yet do not therefore conclude that the upward path is the hard and the downward road the easy way."

It seems to me that this is being stated very clearly.

Easy? Narrow or small is easy?

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

The word which some versions translate as "difficult" is thlibo in v. 14, whose meaning is

1) to press (as grapes), press hard upon
2) a compressed way
2a) narrow straitened, contracted
3) metaph. to trouble, afflict, distress


?
I'm confused, since you said "It takes more effort to fight against God."

Here's what I'm saying:

1.The yoke of Christ is easy, and His burden light.
2.The yoke of sin is hard, and its burden heavy.
3.It's easier to serve God than it is to fight against Him.
4.If we consider the times in our lives when we've fought against God, and when we've been closest to Him, we will see from our own experience that the times that we have been closest to Him bear testimony to Jesus' words that His yoke is easy, and His burden light, and that these times were easier then the other.
5.We should not conclude that the straight (or narrow) path is the hard one, and the broad path is the easy one.