THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
One doesn't find integrity in the computer unless one PUTS it there.
A young man, out of work, went to his local welfare office with a question.
The clerk said, "Give me your name and social security number, everything else will be in the computer."
After receiving the information from the young man, the clerk typed into the computer. Then she said, "OK. Your name is Elton J. Fudd. You are 38 years of age. You live at 164 Oak St, Somewhere, LA 71111. You've been out of work now for 6 months. What is your question?"
The young man said, "Well, I'm wondering about those widow's pension checks you send me every month."
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________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
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_______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 on a personal level!
First, to receive salvtion 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