The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Matthew 7:13-14,
"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, and only a few find it."
Here is an astonishing reality: most people will find themselves in hell for an eternity. Only just a few will enter into blissful eternal life! Why is that?
It is not because God does not love everyone and wants everyone to join his family, "he [the Lord] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9b. Also, "This [prayer] is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3.
Why is it only a few will make it into God's family? It is not because Jesus did not die on the cross to pay for their sins, "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2. Jesus has made a way for everyone and anyone to be welcomed into God's family.
Why then only a few? Perhaps the best answer to that is the one Jesus provided to Nicodemus in their nocturnal meeting, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." John 3:19-21.
After declaring to Nicodemus that "God so loved the world" and the he "gave his one and only Son" and that we enter into his family by simply placing our faith in him, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.", he told Nicodemus that many simply choose to cling to their sin rather than turn to God through Jesus Christ.
"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, and only a few find it."
Here is an astonishing reality: most people will find themselves in hell for an eternity. Only just a few will enter into blissful eternal life! Why is that?
It is not because God does not love everyone and wants everyone to join his family, "he [the Lord] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9b. Also, "This [prayer] is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3.
Why is it only a few will make it into God's family? It is not because Jesus did not die on the cross to pay for their sins, "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2. Jesus has made a way for everyone and anyone to be welcomed into God's family.
Why then only a few? Perhaps the best answer to that is the one Jesus provided to Nicodemus in their nocturnal meeting, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." John 3:19-21.
After declaring to Nicodemus that "God so loved the world" and the he "gave his one and only Son" and that we enter into his family by simply placing our faith in him, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.", he told Nicodemus that many simply choose to cling to their sin rather than turn to God through Jesus Christ.
Most love their sin and prefer to cling to it. Only a few are willing to turn from their sin to embrace Jesus Christ in faith. It is a choice each and every one of us must make for ourselves.
Eternity hangs in the balance!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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