because.

Matthew 16:24, 25
Then Jesus told His disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. . . .

Proverbs 4:26, 27
Make level paths for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. . . .

Proverbs 8:20
I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

Isaiah 30:21
And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: "This is the way. Walk in it."

Isaiah 35:8
And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it, only those who walk in that Way--and fools will not stray onto it.

Isaiah 57:14
And it will be said, "Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people."

Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: Where is the good way? Then walk in it and find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it!'

Mark 8:34
Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

John 15:18-20
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. . . .

John 16:2, 33
They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. . . .

Acts 14:22
strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. "We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God, " they said.

1 Thessalonians 3:2-5
We sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, . . .

and few.

Matthew 20:16
So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few are chosen."

Matthew 25:1-12
At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. . . .

Luke 12:32
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke 13:23-30
"Lord, " someone asked Him, "will only a few people be saved?" Jesus answered, . . .

Romans 9:27-29, 32
Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved. . . .

Romans 11:5, 6
In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. . . .

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Ephesians 2:2, 3
in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. . . .

1 Peter 3:20, 21
who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water. . . .