God has not promised us an easy trip to Heaven. He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. But He says that the right road is narrow. “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14) The word translated “strait” means narrow or difficult. There are few people that truly find the gate to Heaven. If their looking for the easy road—that is the one that leads to Hell.
♫It’s not an easy road we are travelling to heaven,
For many are the thorns on the way.
It’s not an easy road, but the Savior is with us,
His presence gives us joy every day.
Chorus:
No, no, it’s not an easy road.
But Jesus walks beside me and brightens the journey,
And lightens every heavy load.
Why am I telling you that the road is not easy? Is it to try to take your joy away? No but we must know the truth! And the truth is “God demonstrates HIS OWN LOVE TOWARD US, in that while we were still sinners, Christ DIED FOR US.” (Rom. 5:8) The problem is this, “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Rom. 3:23) And there is a penalty for our sins, “…the wages of sin is death…” (Rom. 6:23) As we see above how, “God demonstrates His own love toward us” by giving us the perfect gift, “the gift of God is eternal life” (Rom. 6:23)
We want to be sure we are on the right path and going the right way, Jesus said, “I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) We must remember, “God saved you by HIS GRACE when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a GIFT FROM GOD. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Eph. 2:8-9) Then comes the wonderful part of all this when we say to the Lord, “…please forgive me for my sins. I’m sorry that I haven’t lived up to what you expect of me.” 1 John 1:9 says that God will forgive us if we confess our sins and ask for His mercy: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to FORGIVE US OUR SINS and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham