Through a Narrow Door

This last summer, my wife and I built a dog run on the side of our house. It mainly consisted of putting a fence and gate up to keep our Labrador Retriever, Molly, in one area. Neither one of us had put up a fence before, so it was a learning experience. It turned out nice, and most importantly, it keeps our dog contained. Jesus said that to enter into heaven is like going through a narrow door. Not everyone will find it or go through it.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:24‬

Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”

When someone asked Jesus who will be saved, this is how He answered. Not everyone is going to heaven. This may come as a shock to you but look at Jesus’ words. He says, “Strive to enter through the narrow door.” That means that not everyone is going to enter through it. Jesus is the only way, and you have to believe in your heart and profess with your mouth the He is Lord. If you think being a good person will do it, you’re gonna miss out.

One Sacrifice

When we are finally in heaven, we will see Jesus seated at the right hand of His Father. All the glory will be given to Him because of the death He died. His atoning work on the cross was the one sacrifice all of us needed to be restored to a right relationship with God. The chasm that was impossible to cross was bridged by the cross Jesus died on. One day every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:12‬

“but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,”

Jesus sits at the right hand of His Father because He accomplished what no one else could, being the perfect sacrifice for our sins. This sacrifice appeased the wrath of a holy God. For that, our sins can be forgiven, our relationship with God restored, and our eternity secured. It took ONE sacrifice to accomplish this, and that was God sending His only Son to do it. (John 3:16).

Take the Worry Out of Your Life

COVID has made some aspects of life easier. Take grocery shopping, for instance. At least in the United States, you don’t have to go into the store anymore. You can log into your computer and order everything you need, and it will be delivered to your doorstep in a couple of hours. It is more expensive, but easier nonetheless. Did you know that Jesus tells you to take the worry out of your life? He tells us to seek His kingdom.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:31

And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

You can spend a lot of time worrying about things that don’t matter. You can also expend a great deal of energy worrying about putting food on the table. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, we are told not to worry about these things but instead seek the kingdom go God, and all the essentials will be added to you. That’s easier said than done, but Jesus tells us what to strive for.

It Can’t Be Explained

Science tries to explain the mysteries of the universe. They let us know why events we don’t understand happen like earthquakes happen. When something happens that can’t be explained, they simply say that it can’t be explained. When events are happening in our lives, we have a sovereign God who is in control.

‭‭Job‬ ‭11:7

Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

Job had some of the worst friends in the world. When he was at his lowest, they came and told him that God was judging him and that he deserved everything he was getting. Who wouldn’t want friends like these? One of his friends told Job that God was too deep to understand, which is why Job couldn’t figure out why he was going through this trial.

The Best Gift to Give

Please don’t panic, but in the coming days, the Christmas frenzy will be unleashed upon us. With Halloween over, retailers will do everything in their power to get you to buy your gifts early. As a parent, that can be stressful. Trying to determine the best gift for your child and if you can afford it, only heightens the stress. God fusses over us, too, but He knows the best gift to give us.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:13‬

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Jesus uses the love of parents to show the love of God. Even evil people give gifts to their children. The darkest of heart can shower presents on those they love. If this is the case for those who are wicked, how much more will God give the Holy Spirit to those who ask? The Holy Spirit is the one who gives us gifts like prophecy and teaching. Romans 5:5 says the Spirit pours the love of God into our hearts.

Be Ready to Confess Your Faith

Politicians like to trumpet what the polls say, but there is a problem, it has been found that most people aren’t honest. They tell the pollsters what they think they want to hear. The same can be said for Christians. They often don’t tell their true feelings but morph into the settings they are in. Jesus tells us to be ready to confess your faith.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:8

“And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God;”

The number of people confessing Jesus as their savior is dwindling. People are trying to equate “hate” with Christians because they oppose homosexuality and abortions. So to prevent any attack, people are claiming up and not saying anything. George Gallup surveyed people in the United States, and the number of people who would check the box that says “none” when it comes to religious affiliation has gone through the roof. People aren’t confessing their faith before men today.

Free of Charge

Did you ever have to stay after school and write on a piece of paper a hundred times “I will not …” Fill in the blank for your misdeed. Your hand would be cramping by the end. A lot of Christians think they have to do something similar when they sin. God doesn’t work that way. He offers forgiveness free of charge because His Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:14

“how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

In the Old Testament, the people of God had to sacrifice bulls, lambs, and goats for the forgiveness of sins. Christ’s death on the cross was the final sacrifice needed for sin to be removed. His unblemished life became the perfect substitute for our sin, which left a price tag of death upon us. With that forgiveness comes a conscience that is cleansed. You don’t need an animal to be your substitute; Jesus was the perfect sacrifice.

Your Eye is a Lamp

Each year I have to go to the eye doctor and get an exam. Without my glasses or contacts, I am pretty blind. What makes it difficult is having a stranger look into your eyes with all kinds of machinery. It serves a purpose, but the level of awkwardness goes through the roof. The reason for that is that your eye is a lamp to your soul.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:34‬

“The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.”

The eye is discussed a lot in literature. Many authors write about how the eye is the window to the soul, and you can see into a person’s heart by gazing into their eyes. I’m not sure about that, but your eyes will often give you away when things aren’t right. Jesus backs this up when He tells you that your eyes offer a light into your life. If your life is clean, then you can see clearly, but if there aren’t good things happening, then darkness lingers in parts of your heart.

A Binding Agreement

Have you ever signed a legal document like escrow papers to purchase a house? The stack of paper can be a couple of inches thick. You will have to sign and initial many of those pages as you are made aware of your legal responsibility. Once it is all done and notarized, you are legally bound to the contract. It is a covenant that you have entered into with another party, and if you break it, you could be taken to court. Did you know that God entered into a binding agreement with you when you accepted Jesus as your savior? It’s His New Covenant.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8:10‬

FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”

The writer of Hebrews is quoting Jeremiah 31 and the promise that God had made to the Israelites when they returned from captivity. This was a new covenant. With the Old Covenant, everything was based on what the Israelites did in response to God’s law. The New Covenant was all based on what God was going to do. God says, “I Will.” This is all His doing, and nothing is dependent on what we do. Because it is a Covenant that He has made, it is unbreakable.

Focus Forward

During planting season, there are few things more beautiful than perfect plows lines in the fields. The symmetry of row after row of dirt formed so vegetables can be planted gives a sense of order. If a farmer were to take his eyes off what he was doing, his tractor would go off course, and…