The Narrow Gate

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The Narrow Gate

There are so many different belief systems  in this world.     It should be obvious  that it matters  which is the right way  to go.     Out of all beliefs,  only the Bible  has shown itself  to be true  through all the fulfilled prophecies  written there.     And yet,  even within those claiming  to accept the Bible’s teachings,  not all will reach  their goal  of heaven.     How can that be?

Just a few  of the possible reasons  include:   imagining good works earn  a place  in heaven  —  not believing Jesus is God  —  believing we have to follow  all sorts of man-made rules  and traditions  —  imagining we can lead a wild life  of sin  —  considering Jesus  only as a good teacher  and philosopher  —  loving the stuff  in this world  more than God  —  mixing heathen traditions and beliefs  in with the clear word  of God  —  and the list goes on.

People do this  in spite  of the fact  that Jesus taught  in Matthew 7:13-14,

Enter through  the narrow gate;  for the gate is wide  and the way is broad  that leads  to destruction,  and there are many who enter  through it.      For the gate is small  and the way is narrow  that leads to life,  and there are few  who find it.

That very  “narrow gate”  “that leads  to life”  is a simple faith  in Jesus only  as our Lord and Savior.     We can’t add anything to that  —  or take anything away  from that.

This simple truth  is expressed  in many places  like John 3:18,

He who believes  in Him  is not judged;  he who does not believe  has been judged already,  because he has not believed  in the name  of the only begotten Son  of God.

Jesus is pointedly showing us  that it is only faith  in Him  “that leads  to life”.     If we add  or subtract  from that simple truth,  we are widening  the “gate”  —  leading ourselves  and others  “to destruction”.      When describing the “narrow”,  “small” gate,   Jesus realized  that there would only be “few  who find it”.

In other words,  our sinful natures wrongfully imagine  we can make God’s salvation plan  work better  with worldly ideas  —  but we can’t.

Glad to trust only  in Jesus,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     LORD,  Your work  is perfect.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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… Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus …

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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