The Gate

After five years, I was finally able to expand my corral. It is now almost twice as large, and the horses and goats love it. With the expansion came a second gate, making access to the paddock so much easier. Frank, my gelding, however, thought otherwise and refused to go through the new gate. He planted his feet and kept looking at me as if to say, What's wrong with you? This isn't the right way to go.

John 10:7-9a – Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." (NIV)

In today's society, many believe that it doesn't matter who we believe in, as long as we have faith. There are many ways to heaven, they say. I have found that even some of my closest Christian friends have begun to change their views on the subject of salvation through Christ, believing that surely God will not turn away those who are seeking to do good and who believe in God, but not in salvation through Christ. And yet, Jesus stated very clearly,

John 14:6 – I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (NIV)

This does not mean that God doesn't hear the prayers of those who do not know Christ. It does not mean that He doesn't care about them. The story in Acts chapter 10 about Peter being sent to tell the good news to Cornelius and his family, who were devout, God-fearing, and generous to those in need, and who prayed to God regularly, proves this. Being God-fearing, however, and doing good is, according to Scripture, not good enough. For if it were, there would have been no need for God the Father to send Christ the Son so that through the power of His shed blood and resurrection all people might, by faith, be saved.

1 John 5:11-12 – And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (NIV)

So do not be deceived. Yes, God loves everyone. Yes, God desires that none should perish but that all should be saved. But no, there are not many ways or gates to heaven. There is only one way, for as the Scriptures state,

John 3:16 – 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (NIV)

Prayer: Father God, thank You so much for Jesus, Who willingly laid down His life that all might come to You for eternity. Open the eyes and hearts of those who see Jesus as a stumbling block, that they might understand their need of the power of the blood of the Lamb for salvation. Strengthen the hearts of those who already know You through Christ, that they may not be deceived and led astray by the false teachings of society. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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