Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:13, 14
I listened to a sermon today by John MacArthur on these two verses and I felt compelled to write about it.
MacArthur discussed the fact that there are really only two religions in the world: true religion and false religion. False religion can be called by any number of names, but when it all is said and done all false religion leads to the same place. False religion all heads down the road to destruction. What becomes difficult is that Satan doesn’t clarify this. In fact, he will tell any number of lies to convince the world that they are on the right path. Sadly, as we see later on in Chapter 7 of Matthew, some who believe that they are on the right path will hear “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Christians are often labeled as judgmental, close-minded, or intolerant. That’s the spin that Satan has put on it. That’s the spin the flesh is enticed by. In reality, Jesus, the Son of God, came declaring the forgiveness of sins for all who followed Him. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t want to hear this message. We are a proud race. We give ourselves all the credit and we believe that we know what is best for ourselves.
“A loving God wouldn’t send people to Hell” is something I hear a lot. Why not start with the truth that God is love and then discern how the rest of Scripture fits together? Instead, out of arrogance, we determine that we know how God should act, who He should punish, and who should go to Heaven. We miss out on God when we do this, and the Bible is clear that Jesus Christ is a priceless treasure worth more than gold. When we know this, we are on the hard way and passing through the narrow gate.
Another point that MacArthur made was that salvation is a very personal experience. No one is saved by being in a family of believers or by anyone else’s faith. He said to picture a turn style that you would see at a sports stadium or movie theater or train station(here in Japan). You cannot fit more than one through at a time. Oh, and by the way, you better not have anything bulky on. In fact, it is best if you are naked. The gate is narrow and no one who clings to any material possessions will be able to pass through. Take for instance the rich man who went away sad when Jesus told him to sell all he had and follow Him.
In my own childhood, I think of those who were baptized as an infant and confirmed in the church and given the false sense of security. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that baptism saves or that those confirmed into a church are now forgiven of all their sins and will spend eternity with God. Jesus is clear that only those who endure to the end will be saved. Only those who abide in Christ and bear much fruit will be saved. Only those who display true understanding of the Gospel will be saved. Only those who have been made a new creation by surrendering and acknowledging that their only hope of righteousness comes not from their flesh but from Jesus Christ, the spotless lamb will be made righteous.
There is good news and bad news. The good news is that every person is given a choice. The bad news is that mankind has inherited the wrong choice and has been walking the broad path since before we were born.
MacArthur said “Jesus becomes the crux of every man’s destiny. The choice is made at the crossroads of Christ, if you will. Choose life or choose death.” There is one crossroads in life that has eternal significance. What do we choose? Do we choose the easy road like most humans? Or do we choose the hard way that leads to Jesus Christ? Do we choose the road of self righteousness which is the very same road that Lucifer took? Or do we choose the road of total depravity which requires divine rescue?
There are two paths with two gates. One is a hard hard way with trials and persecutions and suffering. One is an easy way with little worry and all the pleasures of this world. One leads to righteousness. One leads to destruction.
What path are you on? Where are you headed? The path to righteousness is the most glorious path one can imagine. It isn’t glamorous. It isn’t easy. But it is worth so much more than we have to endure because at the end awaits a priceless treasure and a loving God. Choose wisely.
Matthew 7:13, 14
I listened to a sermon today by John MacArthur on these two verses and I felt compelled to write about it.
MacArthur discussed the fact that there are really only two religions in the world: true religion and false religion. False religion can be called by any number of names, but when it all is said and done all false religion leads to the same place. False religion all heads down the road to destruction. What becomes difficult is that Satan doesn’t clarify this. In fact, he will tell any number of lies to convince the world that they are on the right path. Sadly, as we see later on in Chapter 7 of Matthew, some who believe that they are on the right path will hear “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Christians are often labeled as judgmental, close-minded, or intolerant. That’s the spin that Satan has put on it. That’s the spin the flesh is enticed by. In reality, Jesus, the Son of God, came declaring the forgiveness of sins for all who followed Him. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t want to hear this message. We are a proud race. We give ourselves all the credit and we believe that we know what is best for ourselves.
“A loving God wouldn’t send people to Hell” is something I hear a lot. Why not start with the truth that God is love and then discern how the rest of Scripture fits together? Instead, out of arrogance, we determine that we know how God should act, who He should punish, and who should go to Heaven. We miss out on God when we do this, and the Bible is clear that Jesus Christ is a priceless treasure worth more than gold. When we know this, we are on the hard way and passing through the narrow gate.
Another point that MacArthur made was that salvation is a very personal experience. No one is saved by being in a family of believers or by anyone else’s faith. He said to picture a turn style that you would see at a sports stadium or movie theater or train station(here in Japan). You cannot fit more than one through at a time. Oh, and by the way, you better not have anything bulky on. In fact, it is best if you are naked. The gate is narrow and no one who clings to any material possessions will be able to pass through. Take for instance the rich man who went away sad when Jesus told him to sell all he had and follow Him.
In my own childhood, I think of those who were baptized as an infant and confirmed in the church and given the false sense of security. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that baptism saves or that those confirmed into a church are now forgiven of all their sins and will spend eternity with God. Jesus is clear that only those who endure to the end will be saved. Only those who abide in Christ and bear much fruit will be saved. Only those who display true understanding of the Gospel will be saved. Only those who have been made a new creation by surrendering and acknowledging that their only hope of righteousness comes not from their flesh but from Jesus Christ, the spotless lamb will be made righteous.
There is good news and bad news. The good news is that every person is given a choice. The bad news is that mankind has inherited the wrong choice and has been walking the broad path since before we were born.
MacArthur said “Jesus becomes the crux of every man’s destiny. The choice is made at the crossroads of Christ, if you will. Choose life or choose death.” There is one crossroads in life that has eternal significance. What do we choose? Do we choose the easy road like most humans? Or do we choose the hard way that leads to Jesus Christ? Do we choose the road of self righteousness which is the very same road that Lucifer took? Or do we choose the road of total depravity which requires divine rescue?
There are two paths with two gates. One is a hard hard way with trials and persecutions and suffering. One is an easy way with little worry and all the pleasures of this world. One leads to righteousness. One leads to destruction.
What path are you on? Where are you headed? The path to righteousness is the most glorious path one can imagine. It isn’t glamorous. It isn’t easy. But it is worth so much more than we have to endure because at the end awaits a priceless treasure and a loving God. Choose wisely.
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