Have you ever heard it said, "God will forgive everyone"? I
don't know who started that saying; it certainly wasn't Jesus! The
people who listened to Him were left in no doubt that many would
not receive God's forgiveness and be lost forever!
"Someone asked Jesus, ‘Lord, are only a few people going to be
saved?' He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the
narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will
not be able to." 1*.
Often in His teachings Jesus made it very clear that many were
going to miss getting in to the Kingdom of God. 2*.
Jesus taught that there was a Way for sinners to come to God.
3*. It is a "narrow"
way because God requires each person to come on his or her own to
decide about entering by this way. No one can be carried in by the
crowd, or get in because of others, or because he is with some
church or religion.
Jesus made it so clear that even a little child could understand
and come. He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one
comes to the Father except through Me." 3*. He also said, "I am the gate; whoever enters
through Me will be saved." 4*.
If you want to gain admission to God's Kingdom you must come as an
individual sinner before the Lord Jesus, by faith. You must believe
that He alone can take away your sins that are keeping you from
God. 5*. He can, and
will forgive everyone who comes, in faith, to trust Him as their
own and only Priest and Saviour. 6*.
But remember, Jesus said, "Many.. will try to enter and will not be
able to." They will be the ones who will not want to enter by the
"narrow door" - not willing to believe that Jesus is the only One
who can bring them to God. 7*.
Jesus, the "narrow door", is ready to welcome you now if you will
come to trust in him to forgive and save you, but don't delay for
soon it will be too late! Once Jesus "closes the door, you will
stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.'
"But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'"
8*.
Many of those left outside will claim to be friends of Jesus
because they had communion with Him and often listened to the
teachings of Jesus. They will be too late discovering that they
never really did believe in Jesus as being the "narrow door" and
the only way to Heaven. They will realise then that they loved and
trusted other "doors" that they hoped would get them to God and
Heaven - maybe things like their sacraments, their other priests or
their good works. "But Jesus will reply, 'I don't know you or where
you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' There will be
weeping there, and gnashing of teeth… " 9*.
Make sure right now that you not only know that Jesus is the narrow
door, but that you are safely on the INSIDE having trusted in Him
as your only Priest and Saviour.
Read about the so-called "friends" Jesus
rejects in Luke chapter 13, verses 22-30.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Bible quotations from N.I.V.
1 Luke
13:23-24.
2 Matthew 7:13-23.
3 John 14:6.
4 John 10:9.
5 John 1:29. Romans
3:20-26.
6 Hebrews 7:24-27. Acts
4:12.
7 1st Peter 3:18.
8 Luke 13:25.
9 Luke 13:27.
