For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth...Eph 5:9
Spring 2002 Volume 3, Issue 2 |
“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; Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” -Matthew 7:13-14 Heaven will not be home for those who choose to invest most of their energy, effort, money, and time in getting riches, enjoying the pleasures of life and being too concerned with the cares for daily needs. On one occasion, a rich ruler came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matt. 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-22). Jesus told him to “sell all ... distribute unto the poor” and follow him (Luke 18:22). The rich man chose to keep his “great possessions.” He went away sorrowfully, choosing Hell as his Home of choice, rather than change his priorities. Often mundane things, such as daily chores and broken appliances, hinder us from faithful service to God. Jesus said to his friend, who was cumbered (distracted) about much serving, “Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:40-42). Lessons to be learned from Jesus’ teaching One must desire to make Heaven the Home of choice. Most choose the wide gate and broad way (Matt. 7:13). They choose to do the easy thing ... the thing everybody else is doing. They choose Hell as their Home of choice. One must be willing to change his/her priorities to make Heaven the Home of choice. Some Christians seem to think as the world thinks, “there is safety in numbers.” Our Lord taught that many would enter the wide gate and travel the broad way. That being true, for the Christian who enters the strait (difficult to pass through) gate, much of his Christian life may be alone on the narrow way to Heaven. Jehovah warned Israel, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil ...” (Exodus 23:2). It is very difficult to imagine, in reality ... impossible to name a religious issue in which the majority is right! In fact, find out what the majority opinion is, then go to the middle (or perhaps the other end) of the spectrum and |
you will likely be closer to the Truth. Hear Jesus, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:22-23). In a survey of 500 preachers of various religious groups, 69% denied that there is a Hell! Nearly forty years ago, I purchased a little rubber stamp that said: “Everyone who goes to Hell, goes by choice, not by chance.” I am reminded that not one soul will just "stumble into" Hell, nor will anyone wander into that awful place of torment. Each of us will choose, day by day, the broad way or the narrow way. Therefore, we will choose whether we will go to Heaven or Hell. Is the crowd, the multitude, or the many worth following to the fiery furnace? Would you rather be in Hell with many or Heaven with few? The choice is yours. One does not get on the highway to Hell by chance. One does not stay on the road to torment by chance. It is by choice. I'd rather be with the few. Conclusion Do you really desire to make Heaven your Home of Choice? Will you arrange your priorities to please the Lord? You should ... but the choice is yours. Windell R. Fikes
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