THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
A deputy pulled over a lady who had been swerving from side to side on the road.
He didn't smell alcohol in the car or on the woman. So, he asked, "Ma'am, is there a reason you were swerving all over the road?"
She said, "Oh! Officer! I'm so glad you're here! I was just driving down the road, and all of a sudden there was a TREE in front of me. So I swerved to the left. Then, there was ANOTHER tree in front of me. So I swerved to the right. Why are there trees on this road?"
The deputy leaned over to look in the car. Then he pointed to her rear view mirror.
He said, "Ma'am, that's your AIR FRESHENER!"
______________________________________________________________________________________
________SCRIPTURE________________________________________________________________
Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
KJV
______________________________________________________________________________________
_______THOUGHT__________________________________________________________________
When I read this statement, I have to just exclaim "WOW!" to Jesus' choices of vocabulary in relation to His audience. Some of the audience were already believers, and some were not.
"Gate" reflects the opening to something.
"Way" reflects the ROAD.
"Destruction" is used as an opposite to LIFE, which is eternal joy with Christ.
With those terms in mind, one can readily see that Jesus is putting salvation and life after salvation on a personal level!
First, to receive salvation we must "Enter YE in at the straight gate..." That gate is narrow, like the opening to a sheep fold. And Jesus said HE is the "door" of entry for sheep (people) who want to have eternal life (See John 10:9). That indeed is a NARROW gate! If one would be saved, he/she MUST surrender to Jesus as Lord! There is NO OTHER gate!! (See John 14:6).
Second, once we enter the Gate, we must walk the WAY. The WAY (road) of destruction is an easy road. All we have to do is just let ourselves go. There are a billion ways to hell. But there is only ONE "way" to heaven; that is to walk WITH Christ. And that road is both unpopular and uphill! It is unpopular because it is morally right and we, along with all other humans, are morally wrong. It is uphill because it means constant striving to improve our moral character.
Yes. Salvation is a PERSONAL commitment to Christ.
And once we have committed to Him, then living is a personal struggle of integrity.
Love ya,
Bruce