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John 10:9a – I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. (NIV)
Revelation 1:18 – I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. (NIV)
The English meaning of the name "Kayley" is "keeper of the keys; pure". In regard to keeper of the keys, this suits my collie, Kayley, very well. Right from the beginning, she has had a habit of lying in front of the dog door. Whether she is inside or outside, that's where she plants herself, and she stays put until I tell her to move away so that the other dogs can go in or out. For some reason, she has made herself the gatekeeper, which can be most annoying to everyone else. Although she is not the actual gate, the others have to go through her to get in and out.
Likewise, within Scripture, we read that Jesus claims, "I am the gate." Unlike Kayley, who guards the dog door, or gate, He is the gate itself. He is also the keeper of the keys, the One whose work on the cross unlocked the way to eternity for mankind. Whoever enters through Him will be saved.
This is a very annoying fact for many people worldwide who choose to believe that Jesus is not the only gateway to heaven. They want to trust in the impossible notion that their good deeds can outweigh their failings or shortcomings. They hope that, when it comes their turn to meet God Almighty and He adds up their columns of rights and wrongs, their score will fall on the right side and they will be allowed entrance.
Unfortunately for those who think this way, the Bible states:
Romans 3:10,23-24 – As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (NIV)
None of our good deeds, no matter how great or wonderful, can ever blot out our sin. Only Jesus has the power to make us right before God. He is both the gate itself and also the keeper of the gate. He and only He has the power to allow us through into eternity. Whether or not we like this or choose to believe it, that's the way it is. It is a fact that demands the humility to admit that we need help, because nothing that we can ever do can make us perfect or holy and without blemish in God's sight. It also demands the obedience to accept, by faith, the help or salvation that only Christ, the true gate, can offer to each and every one of us.
Jesus said, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."
According to this truth, are you saved?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus, Who is the gate, the One through Whom anyone who enters will be saved. Open the hearts and eyes of those who refuse to accept that He is the only gate, the way, the truth, and the life, in regard to our eternal salvation. May Your Spirit abound within our world, that many will turn to Him in faith this day. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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Thank you.
Thanks Lynne.
Amen Lynne. Well said. Blessings and enjoy your weekend.
Thanks for sharing, Lynne.
God’s blessings.
Good Morning
Ongoing thanks for your devotions.
Very clear gospel message. Thanks. That is all we ever need.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us! Blessings.
Thanks, Lynne, for sharing your experience, understanding, and hope today. And for the wagging tail of your canine gatekeeper.
Thanks for your great message in your devotion today. Loved it.
(Ontario)
Hello Lynne,
I am in awe of your inspirational writing. First of all the connections you see with life, scripture, and salvation. Then, how you find the time to put your thoughts down on paper.
Thank you, once more.
Dear Lynne,
Thank you for another of your very mindful devotionals. I always enjoy reading how you correlate your pets into the story in relation to scripture and the benefit to our lives through faith in our loving Saviour. Kayley sounds like a very wonderful pet who has chosen her “job” and remains very dedicated to it! Blessings for these great writings you submit to the devotionals.
Lynne – today you gave me the ‘courage’? ‘ability’? to write to my sister-in-law to explain the Gospel and urge her to think about it. I forwarded your lovely picture of the gatekeeper and will finally send her a new study Bible. How can I ever thank Him enough for your wonderful reflections/analogies and metaphors over the years. Well done, thou good and faithful servant !! God bless.
Thank you, Lynne, for this wonderful devotional which is a blessing I am sure to all who read it. I am sure Kayley is a blessing to you and is a good safeguard for all.
We never know when the Lord will present an opportunity for ministry. I was presented with such an opportunity this week. I have been asked to serve our military again for a week in the later part of November as the Padre at the Air Force base. I am looking forward to spending a week with the Air Force again after many years away from military chaplaincy.
Blessings.
Dear Lynne,
It is interesting to see how the meanings of names turn out to fit animals and people, even though when they are named you don’t know their personality. Great story.
For years, I did not understand the meaning of being a “Christian” and it is from this statement that only our belief in Jesus is the gate that will allow us to enter heaven. It is not from anything that I do. I understand the truth of that statement now, but I do understand that it is a hard for some to put their head and heart around this concept.
A beautiful prayer for us to all pray for God to open the hearts and eyes of others as he opened mine after many years of believing I was a Christian when I truly was not. Thank you for sharing and encouraging.
May Kayley continue to guard the dog door to remind you of your faith in Jesus. Blessings.
Hello Lynn,
Thank you for sharing your story “The Gate Keeper”. This is so true – Jesus is the Gate and the Keeper of the gate. We have all sinned whether consciously or unconsciously and, as you stated, no amount of right can undo what has been done. We can only seek forgiveness and turn our way for better – knowing our mistakes, learning from them, and correcting them. True, it won’t change the fact that sin has marked us, but it sets life onto the right path – a righteous path. This reminds me of Hymn 496 in the “Book of Praise” by Amy Grant “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet” – the opening line is “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
Blessings,
(ON)
Hello Lynne,
What a well written, clear message to those who think their good works will get them into Heaven. Thank you.