We have all heard sermons on the narrow way and I'm sure that most church goers (reading this) believe themselves to be on it. I know I did.
I heard one sermon recently: "The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards" read by Dr. Steven J. Lawson. (Well worth the trouble to look it up and listen.)
Anyway, he made the statement: (my paraphrase) You don't go through the narrow gate and walk on the broad path! The narrow gate is restricted; it has parameters that we do not cross! Rules, laws and commandments that must be obeyed. It's hard! It goes against everything thing your flesh wants to do. There is no option for doing your own thing on "the narrow path!"
Just in case you don't know, the opening scripture, (above in Matthew) is Jesus speaking.
If your Jesus allows for you to read for enjoyment books on witchcraft and sorcery; see movies with explicit sex and violence; play violent games; go to concerts and listen to music with lyrics that glorify all of the above; you have a different Jesus!
If your Jesus is not telling you to walk like He did on "the narrow path"; crucifying the deeds and desires of your flesh, then you have a different Jesus and are headed straight to hell!
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 KJV
The devil has been deceiving us since the garden!
Jesus, Himself, preached repentance of our sins, and even named what those sins were: unforgiveness, judging, etc! He admonished us to take up our cross and follow Him! That's not wearing it on a chain around our neck! It's a hard road! It means living differently from the rest of our family and friends! It means NOT doing the things they do! It means separation from the world! It means we look, talk, act differently than we did before we went through "the narrow gate!" It's ALL or nothing! A servant has no choice but to obey! A disobedient servant is not tolerated by his master!
Our Master, has given us instructions, yet we've accepted the devil's lie that we "come to Jesus" on our terms! We say: "We don't do it that way, at our church!" and believe we are heaven bound!
Further in the same chapter, Jesus continues: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23 KJV
From His own mouth He warns that it's not on our terms!
Time is running out and if you live like the world, and believe you are going to heaven (when you die) because you, walked the aisle and "asked Jesus into your heart", you are greatly deceived!
It is wholly on our shoulders, if we continue to believe what our denomination says, instead of finding out on our own, what God's Word says! When we stand before The Judgment Seat of Christ; we will stand alone! God has given us His Word and we are without excuse if we choose to believe man without confirming The Truth, in The Bible!
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV
Back to Matthew 7:21:
"Not everyone!" is going to heaven!
I know it's politically incorrect, to say, but the Word is quite clear!
Again Jesus speaking: “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38 KJV
Harsh?
NO!!!!
He DIED to make a way for us!
He is God! We are not!!!!
Who are we to argue????
The same scripture in context:
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 10:34-39 KJV
The "narrow path" is hard path! A hard race! A hard walk! Whatever you choose to call it, but it's the only way to the Father! It's only by His mercy and grace we have the opportunity to even go through the gate!
Repent of your sins! Forgive!
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15 KJV
Time is running out!
Pick up Your Bible and read for yourself The Truth!
Ask Him to open your eyes. He will!!!!!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 1/19/16
No comments:
Post a Comment