“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13, 14)
“That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the words to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:15-18)
Many today have different ideas how to get to the eternal Heaven: a few examples might suffice: Some believe one gets there by doing good deeds (as they understand them). Others think that by being “religious” (having a “holy” facade) or performing varying religious rites will get them there. Then, still others, subscribe to their denominational beliefs. In addition, there are those who don’t really care how one gets there, such as are of the (false) opinion that “all roads lead to Rome.” In other words, whichever way one chooses will get him there (supposedly).
What this really translates into is that people think they can decide their own destiny. They have become their own authority. But authority (the right to say so and the power to enforce) can only come from one of two sources: from the God of the Bible, or from sinners who are fallible and depraved. They may claim to be “God” or aspire to be. Never!
I close with a note of authority and finality: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the (one and only) way, the (one and only) truth, and the (one and only) life. No one comes to the Father (who is in Heaven) except through Me’” (John 14:6).
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)
God’s not kidding!
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