Daily Devotional

-June 9, 2021-

Good morning happy, Wednesday,

-Two Ways, Two Destinies-

“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.”

(Matthew 7:13-14).

Jesus’ teaching was very clear and to the point. Today’s verses are part of the Sermon on the Mount. Our Savior speaks of two gates, two ways, and two destinies. The world postulates that there are many ways to heaven, which is absolutely untrue. There are but two ways: God’s way and man’s way. They can also be described as two roads through two gates.

Every person has to make the choice which road or way they will choose. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate.” Every person born into this world is a sinner and is on the broad road that leads to destruction. Anyone who rejects Christ has made their choice to follow that road, enter that gate. Those who choose to not choose are really choosing eternal death in hell. Jesus said, “there are many who go in by it.”

There are so few who choose to receive God’s offer of eternal salvation. To do so, one must see his need of a Savior, acknowledge and confess one’s sins, believe that Jesus died for their sins, and receive Him as their personal Lord and Savior. It is a narrow road through a narrow gate that leads to eternal life. Jesus said, “there are few who find it.” The way is narrow and difficult, because one must humble themselves to follow Jesus.

When God created man, He gave him a free will. God never forces anyone to be saved. He does however desire that every person be saved and spend eternity with Him in heaven. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” To repent is to turn around, away from our sins and toward God. The eternal clock is ticking. We are living in the Age of Grace. For individuals that will end at death or the coming of Christ whichever comes first. There no second chances after that.

The greatest invitation God made to man is found in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Jesus is the one and only way to God and eternal life. In John 14:6, He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Which road are you on? Which gate have you entered? The right choice is to enter the narrow gate and go on the narrow road that leads to eternal life! Man’s way is to reach out to God to do good works and earn his way to heaven. Every religion in the world outside of Christianity believes that. In the Christian faith it is God reaching out to man, having accomplished our salvation on the cross. Man thinks he is ok and deserves God’s favor and to go to heaven. The opposition is really true: no deserves to be saved and go to heaven. Christ died in our place, bearing our sin, to make eternal life possible by His mercy and grace. Mercy means God doesn’t give us what we deserve: eternal death in hell forever; but grace gives us what we do not deserve forgiveness, eternal life in heaven, and all the blessings He has for His children.

Have a blessed day in the narrow road which is difficult with few on it. It is following Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He knows the way because He is the way. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean