Subscription Lists
Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Throughout our lives we all face many challenges and are presented with many opportunities, our responses impacting our very existence up to and including eternity. What should I wear, who should I date, which school would be best for me to attend, what job offer should I accept? Am I going to drink, smoke or do drugs, get married or settle for casual sex with a willing partner? How many kids should we have if we do get married, how long must I work before retiring? The eternal aspects of life we must consider center on belief and unbelief, reconciliation with or enmity towards God, repentance or lack of conviction over sin – life or death.
God will not accept ambiguity concerning our relationship with him. It has always been so, Moses proclaiming for Him, “…I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction,…” So, “…choose life.” Deuteronomy 30:15 & 19 (See also Joshua 24:15) Elijah bluntly challenging a back-slidden Israel with, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21 Jesus likewise pointing out two starkly different paths or choices we must make in seeking out heaven. “Enter by the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13,14 (See also Luke 13:22-30, refuting the idea that all “roads” lead to heaven.)
Does that surprise you? How hard is it to get to heaven anyway – and why? (For the rich – which by definition in Jesus’ day would include most of us able to read this article, very hard indeed. See Matthew 19:23,24; 1 Timothy 6:9,10 & Mark 8:36,37) Actually, it’s only hard because we don’t take it seriously, refusing to expend any real time and energy figuring it out; preferring an easy belief system of vague standards, warm and fuzzy feelings and few, if any expectations. The problem being, “We all wish to see him – but not face to face. We want to hear him – but from a distance. We desire to be called his children – but don’t want to be held too close.”1 Some would like to convince you that, ‘All ya gotta do is believe.’ It doesn’t matter so much what you believe, as long as you’re sincere. God will understand. Jesus, however, plainly says that there are two distinct gates leading to two roads going in opposite directions, traveled by two separate groups of people. One going to heaven, the other bound for hell. The gospel is that hard. Salvation in Jesus’ name is that exclusive. The gate is that narrow.2
The problem being mankind has always competed with God in seeking to establish a way to redeem himself; by using either a variation of the original plan of salvation or in coming up with something all his own whereby he appears to be better than most everyone else (by his own estimation) or at least better than he used to be. (See Luke 18:9-12Even Judaism evolving into something other than God intended or expects.) Many believing we can follow different paths to God, in the end all arriving at the same place; some in the church being deceived by this lie straight from the Devil’s mouth. As some, in an effort to promote ecumenicalism, accept diverse opinions on righteousness and tolerate a wide range of ideas concerning salvation as well as heaven and hell.
Jesus, however, unequivocally states that, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 (See also Matthew 25:31-46) Those making little effort to genuinely understand what that will is are often easy prey for the Devil; succumbing to the worries and troubles of life, the allure of the values of the world and the pursuit of money. (Matthew 13:18-23 – see also 1 John 2:16)
Jesus unswervingly claimed to be, “…the gate…” John 10:9; “…the good shepherd…” John 10:11; “…the bread of life…” John 6:35; “…the light of the world…” John 8:12; “…the resurrection…” John 11:25; “…the true vine…” John 15:1; “…the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6 Further claiming that, “No one comes to the father except through me.” John 14:7 Our task being to ask pertinent questions about him and his way, diligently seeking the truth of his Word, persistently knocking on the door of opportunity for a relationship with him. (Matthew 7:7,8) Peter proclaiming for all true believers that, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (Which will often get us labeled as being “narrow”-minded.)
The main characteristics of those traveling the narrow way of righteousness were remarked on by Jesus in the preceding verses of Matthew 5,6, & 7 in what we now call the Sermon on the Mount. In it he commends the poor in spirit, the meek and merciful, the pure in heart; while castigating those who developed a tolerance of real sin while propagating a whole series of “laws” beyond what God expressed, advocating standards below and beyond those he set. (See Mark 7:1-13)
The truth of the matter is, Jesus never looked for ways to compromise (See Matthew 23:1-26)), but rather sought people who were broken-hearted over their sin and circumstances, humble in their acceptance of his Word, intensely craving what they could only find in him – God’s mercy and the righteousness to be gained through belief in him. (See Luke 18:13,14) Our broken spirits allowing his presence and power to become an unending redemptive force in our lives. (See 2 Corinthians 12:10) God promising, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 Jesus then declaring that those who worship him in spirit and truth are the kind of converts the father seeks and accepts. (John 4:23,24)
1Philip Yancey, Reaching for the Invisible God, Zondervan Publishers
2From John MacArthur’s book, Hard to Believe – the high cost and infinite value of following Jesus. Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Rate it:
Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Point of Reference" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.