Jesus said, “Enter through 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 (zōē: a life active and vigorous devoted to God), and only A FEW (oligos: small number) find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) Jesus also describes our choice to live for Christ by the ten virgins, “…the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now FIVE of them WERE WISE, and FIVE WERE FOOLISH. Those who were foolish took their lamps and TOOK NO OIL (the oil represents the Holy Spirit who comes when we are “born again”) with them, but the wise TOOK OIL in their vessels with their lamps.” (Matthew 25:1-4) Both of these were part of the church but only five of them were believers! How do I know this? When Jesus came the five with oil came in, but Jesus said to the five with NO OIL “…Truly I tell you, I DON’T KNOW YOU.” (Matthew 25:12) So, we must be BORN AGAIN to enter into eternal life…
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who HEARS My word and BELIEVES in Him who sent Me HAS EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into judgment, but HAS PASSED FROM DEATH INTO LIFE.” (John 5:24) We have to HEAR God’s Word and we must BELIEVE in Jesus Christ as the Son of God TO BE SAVED. “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, He will sit on His throne. Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate people…the sheep on His right…the goats on the left. Then He will say to those on His right, ‘Come, inherit the kingdom, I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and in prison (and you helped me).’ Then the righteous will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you (in all these ways) And the King will answer, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you DID IT to one of the least of these my brothers, you DID IT TO ME.’ “Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and in prison (and you did not help me).’ Then they will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you (in all these ways) Then He will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you DID NOT DO IT to one of the least of these, you DID NOT DO IT TO ME.’ And these will go away into ETERNAL PUNISHMENT, but the righteous into ETERNAL LIFE.” (Matthew 25:31-46)
That’s why Jesus says, “COME TO ME, all of you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I WILL GIVE YOU REST (anapauō: precious ease from your burden and toil). Become my servants and LEARN FROM ME. I am gentle and peaceful. You will find rest for your souls. Serving me is easy, and my load is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham