The Narrow Way

 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." Luke 13:24 NIV, BibleGateway.com suggestion, read rest of chapter

   Martial artist Morihei Ueshiba once philosophized., "There are many paths leading to the top of Mount Fuji." His statement reflected the idea that many people believe, which is that there are many ways to find God. Life is a journey, and people are free to choose their own path to the deity of their choice.

   However, Jesus completely refuted that idea. In Luke 13:24, He said, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." In other words, there are people who will spend their entire lives pursuing a deity that cannot save them, and they will not realize it until it's too late. It's a horrifying thought.

   So why do so many people think there is more than one way to find God?

   Generally, the belief that there is more than one path to God stems from the fact that in every society in the world (it doesn't make any difference how civilized or uncivilized), there are always people who believe in some kind of deity. Therefore, many anthropologists and sociologists reason there is no one true religion-everyone simply worships the deity which best reflects their environmental influences.

   Such scientists conclude everyone is entitled to his or her own idea of God-including believing there is no such thing as a supreme being. Unfortunately, that's human reasoning. It sounds logical, but the problem is it's a complete contradiction to the way the one true God has provided for us to know Him (John 3:16-18).

   Why are there so many cultures with so many deities? Romans 1:20 explains, "Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." People are without excuse in knowing God exists. Every culture has a concept of God-He's clearly seen throughout nature. However, it's not up to us to imagine who He is or to create Him out of our own reasoning or culture. Rather, we must look to the way He's revealing Himself to us, which is through the person of Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:27; John 14:7).

   Unfortunately, people are sometimes offended when Christians say Jesus Christ is the only way to God because they say God wouldn't exclude from heaven all the people who don't believe in Christ. However, their reasoning is completely wrong. It's not that the one true God is exclusive. In face, He is completely inclusive, Jesus said in John 12:32, "I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." Jesus offers salvation to everyone. Jesus would never turn away someone who put his or her faith in Him (Rom. 10:9-13).

   Though life may be a journey, and though there may be a multitude of roads to the earthly Mount Fuji, there's only one way to God-by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Christ offers the only road that leads to salvation. Though the world may offer an abundance of choices, they'll never lead to what you're really looking for (Prov. 14:12). The only right choice is the road God offers through Jesus Christ. Though that path is the narrow one, it's always wide open to you. Trust Him.

Stanley, Charles F. Life Principles Daily Bible, Biblical Principles for Each Day of the Year. Nashville. Thomas Nelson Publishing, page 485.

The Call of God and Call for a Believer

The Call of God

Please read 1 Samuel 3:2-18

   As a young child, Samuel lived in the temple with his mentor, Eli the priest. One night, after hearing his name called, the boy ray to ask Eli what he wanted. The priest, however, hadn't spoken, so he sent the child back to bed. This happened two more times before Eli realized that the Lord was the one calling the boy. Then he instructed Samuel to respond by asking the Lord what He wanted to say.

   Almighty God still speaks to us today. For example, we start hearing Him when He calls us to salvation. The Holy Spirit makes us aware that something is missing in our life, and then He points us to Jesus Christ as the answer.

   Without the Savior, we are lost and hopeless. Everyone is born with a sinful nature that's bent away from God. The Father, who is holy and perfect, requires holiness in His presence. Therefore, the penalty for sin is death—eternal separation from Him. But God loves us, so to correct that situation, Jesus came to earth, lived the perfect life, and died as a substitute for mankind. He took the penalty for our sin.

   Salvation is the greatest gift. To receive it, all we have to do is trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Then, He abides with us and continues to speak, gently guiding and encouraging us toward righteousness.

   Have you sensed the heavenly Father speaking to you? If so, don't delay. Ask Him to forgive your sin; then accept Christ's substitutionary sacrifice on your behalf, and choose to follow Him. Share your decision with a pastor or trusted Christian friend so that you can have guidance on this beautiful new journey.

Stanley, Charles F. "The Call of God." In Touch: Daily Readings for Devoted Living. Atlanta: In Touch. May 2018. page 10.

The Call for a Believer

Ephesians 4:1+

4 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,. .  

NASB, https://www.biblegateway.com/

 . . . After leading us to salvation, God still has work to do in our life. If we listen carefully, we'll be able to hear our Father directing us in three ways.

   First, THE LORD CALLS US TO SANCTIFICATION. This means being set apart by Him and for Him. Through His Spirit, He continually reminds us to use His power and resources so we can obey and live righteously.

   Second, HE CALLS US TO SERVICE. The Lord has planned good works for us to accomplish (Eh. 2:10), and He gives us abilities, time, and resources for that purpose.

   Third, HE CALLS US TO ACCOUNTABILITY. Romans 14:12 teaches that one day we all will give an account of how we used the resources God gave us to glorify Him. This report will be based on the truth we've heard and the opportunities that were available. So we should be sure to listen daily as our heavenly Father reminds us to utilize it all for His glory.

   Has life become so hectic that God's voice is inaudible? Foster your own ability to listen by spending time in the Word and waiting for answers when you pray. And teach your children to tune in so they can hear God, too. What a shame it would be to tackle life without guidance from above.

Stanley, Charles F. "The Call for a Believer." In Touch: Daily Readings for Devoted Living. Atlanta: In Touch. May 2018. page 11.

Salvation: The Work of Our Sovereign God

Made Alive in Christ

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 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. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:1-10 New International Version (NIV)   Bible Gateway

 

   Salvation refers to the freedom gained when God rescues someone from bondage to sin and makes that person part of His family. This deliverance is accomplished only through His Son Jesus, who died in our place so we might be reconciled to the Father (Colossians 1:22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—). This statement often evokes auestions:

   What if I try to live morally right, working and at my job and being good to my family-won't God accept me? Such questions assume that the Lord saves us on the basis of the way we live. But Romans 3:10 says, "There is none righteous, not even one." In God's sight, even our virtuous acts are like dirty rags (Isiah 64:6). Holy God will not have dealings with unrighteous people except through the Savior, Jesus Christ.

   Won't the Lord accept us because of His goodness? God is loving and good, but He is also just. He won't overlook sin, no matter how small we think it is. Pride makes us reject the idea that we need forgiveness or cleansing from sin.

   If we serve in our church or help the poor in God's name, aren't we part of His family? God works do not solve our sin problem or reconcile us to God. Only Jesus does ( Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,). Good works are an important result of salvation, as opposed to a basis for it.

   Salvation is a work of God's grace, not the product of man's effort. When we respond to the Spirit's prompting, believe in Jesus, and are born again as God's children (John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”), we can be assured of our place in heaven. How sure are you?

Stanley, Charles F. "Salvation: The Work of Our Sovereign God." In Touch: Daily Readings for Devoted Living. Atlanta: In Touch Ministries. September 2015. page 14.

Jesus the Way to the Father

 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. . . John 14:6 Bible Gateway