Roads and Gates?

 As we continue in the teachings and commands of Jesus, He tells us about two gates and two roads.

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

[13]  “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The wide road leads to the wide gate that leads to destruction. Why do many people find it? Because it is the common road that mankind walks on from birth. People are born onto this road because we are all born with a sin nature. This road is where we all are separated from God initially because of sin. People just naturally walk on this road.

You might say, "Heck with that!!! I'm getting off this crappy road!! I'm not going to that 'gate of destruction'!" That's awesome!! Good for you!!

Now, how do we get on that narrow road that leads to life? How do we walk through that narrow gate? How are we not separated from God anymore? Through Jesus Christ who spoke those words. He is the only way to have access to the Father in heaven. He is the narrow path. He is the narrow gate we walk through. 

John 14:6 NIV

[6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

He is the "narrow road."

John 10:9 NIV

[9] I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 

He is the "narrow gate."

Ephesians 2:18 NIV

[18] For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

He is the only way that we have access to our loving Heavenly Father who is in heaven.

How do we get to Jesus? By believing that He is the Only Begotten Son of God. By believing that He is the Savior of the world, the Messiah. By believing that He paid the penalty for your sins when He died on the cross over 2,000 years ago. Believe that He was raised from the dead by the Holy Spirit. Believe He ascended into heaven and now He sits at the Father's right hand, alive and well. By believing in His name, you receive Him into your life. 

When you believe this you are "born again," by the Holy Spirit, and are adopted as God's child into the kingdom of God, the heavenly family. God gives you the gift of eternal life by His grace. 

John 3:1-8 NIV

[1] Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” [3] Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” [4] “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” [5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

1 John 5:1a NIV

[1a.] Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,...

John 1:11-13 NIV

[11] He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

When you believe in Jesus, you are saved. You are put on the narrow road, you have eternal life!! You are no longer separated from God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.

If you have not been "born again," you can be right now. Do this!!

Romans 10:9-13 NIV

[9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. [11] As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” [12] For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, [13] for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Then do this,

Acts 2:38-39 NIV

[38] Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Jesus Christ is our narrow gate, our narrow road. Don't be separated from God another minute. Get off that wide road. Don't walk through the wide gate. Come to Jesus Christ NOW!!!

Why? Because God loves you and wants to save you and add you to His family!! 

John 3:16-17 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If you are saved, please share this post with those who are not saved yet.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post