Standing at the Gate

Standing at the Gate

Matthew 7:13-14 (niv)

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

It is interesting the word picture Jesus paints here in the book of Matthew as He talks about eternity. I am not sure we grasp the direct language Jesus is using here to describe our eternity.  He is saying the gate and road to Hell is really big and wide and lots of people are entering through it.  However, the gate and road that leads to Heaven  is narrow and small and not many take it.

Do you understand how powerful this picture is?  Do we grasp the severity and seriousness of our eternity?  This illusion that everyone goes to Heaven and God wouldn't send good people to hell is false.  First, only people who have followed God's plan of salvation through Jesus (John 14:6) Christ and remain faithful to this road/gate will see eternity with God in Heaven.  Secondly, God doesn't send anyone to hell, we send ourselves by the gate/road we choose to follow in this life.

The gate/road to Heaven is narrow because it is specific. According to the Bible, Jesus is the only way to God, to salvation, to forgiveness of sins, and heaven.  That means that we must follow His plan and then stay on course.  People want to make the road to Heaven the large and wide gate/road, so that they can do what they want, live how they choose, and then still get rewarded at the end, that is a false hope. The truth is the road to heaven is narrow and the road to hell is the one that is wide open.

You and I have a choice to make.  Who are we going to live for? Ourselves(and the world) or God? Which gate and road are we going to follow? The world's or God's?  Who's Word are we going to believe? God's Word written in His Bible or the opinions of the world? If you were a gambling person, this would be a no brainer.   Yet, for a so many people who may not gamble, we gamble with our very souls every day by choosing this world, our flesh, and evil desires (the wide gate/broad road) over God and His way (the small gate/narrow road).

This blog isn't meant to guilt, scare, or pressure anyone into anything. It's a simple yet powerful reminder that the gate and path to God and eternity with Him is very small, narrow, specific, and direct and the gate to hell and an eternity without God is wide, wide, wide.

May we pick up our Bibles and study God's plan of salvation.  May we open our hearts and pray to God through His Holy Spirit for direction, discernment, wisdom, and guidance. May we surround ourselves with Godly examples, mentors, encouragers, and people who will teach us, help us, and show us the way. May we take and remain on the narrow road.

Finally, may we grasp the seriousness of God's Word and His truth as we stand at the gate of etnerity and make that choice every day.  God already provided the way, but we have to accept it, choose it, and live it.