I list below the Bible verses on this life and death matter. I also append my observations in the brackets following each set of verses.
1. The narrow Gate: Jesus spoke these famous sayings in Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
(Contrary to the general and popular teaching of other religions and most modern churches, a lot of people are being excluded from entering heaven, simply because they have chosen the broad and easy way).
2. The seeker of God: “You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come”. (John 7:34)
(Although many seek God/Jesus, read up on the subject, study religious materials and Bible, and take part in evangelical rallies and other forms of spiritual pilgrimages, not every one who seeks God/Jesus could find Him or go to heaven where He has gone).
3. The doer of “religious good deeds”: “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” “And then I will declare to them, I never know you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:21, 23)
(Although many practice some forms of religions including Christianity religion, follow the required religious rituals, practice religious living, believing that they are serving God, not all who call God/Jesus as Lord and think that they have served Him could enter heaven).
4. The knower of religious knowledge: There are people who claim that they know God/Jesus because they read up the Bible, take part in church or other religious services, religious activities, religious ceremonial meetings, and so on. (Luke 13:26) but Jesus said, “I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity,” (Luke 13:27)
(Not all who think they know God/Jesus in their physical senses and their minds are known by God/Jesus. To God they are workers of iniquity!)
Who are those who are being disqualified by God/Jesus?
1. They are lawless and workers of iniquity: Proverbs described the characteristics of these people. They hated knowledge (of God), did not choose to honor and fear God reverently, would have none of the Lord’s counsel, and despised God’s every rebuke. (Prov. 1:29-30) Jesus warned: “Then they will call on Me, but I will not answer; they will seek Me diligently, but they will not find Me.” (1:28)
(Take note that these people also seek God diligently but could not find God. Why? They go to church physically without really going with their hearts. They do not believe or want to follow God’s words. They continue to live by the world’s standards and values, and not the values and standards of the kingdom of God).
2. The prophet Hosea also stated that the people (with their flocks and herds) shall go and seek the Lord, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. Why? God said they had dealt treacherously with Him. They had begotten pagan children, indulging in pagan worship and idolatry. (Hosea 5:6-7)
(These religious people try to look for God bringing their whole family too. They go to church like any other Christians do. But God said they have married the world and begotten pagan children! They have lived the lifestyle of the world, be in close intimate relationship with the world, and produced pagan offspring instead of citizens for the kingdom of God!)
3. Jesus warned about the false prophets (pastors and preaches of today’s churches) of His days. Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” Jesus also said, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (eternal damnation). (Matthew 7:19)
(Only where Jesus and His salvation are being preached, then people can be saved. If a preacher/pastor preaches anything but Jesus and His salvation, there will be no production of Christian (good fruit in God’s eyes) for the kingdom of God, thus resulting in eternal damnation of his followers/members of the so called “church”).
How to enter the narrow gate to heaven?
Jesus said, “I am the gate/door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9)
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own”. (John 10:14)
Jesus said, “The sheep hears His voice, and He calls His own sheep by name, and leads them out. And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them; and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.” (John 10:3-5)
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” (John 10:14)
(There are no other way, but to learn to know Jesus, follow His voice, and be led by Him into the narrow gate, into the kingdom of God living.)
Jack’s application: Practice living daily the sheep life (kingdom of God living) by faith. Follow Jesus daily. Make sure He knows me. Watch and pray as Jesus has commanded His followers.
2009-12-02
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