Message of Scripture: 2/9/2021

Today’s message from Scripture comes from Matt. 7:13-14. “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 and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Some say, since there are many roads that reach from one place to another, there must be many ways to reach heaven.  Jesus in this passage said the road (singular) that leads to life is narrow and straight, or difficult, and there are few that find it.  In the book of Acts, Christianity is frequently referred to as “the way,” not a way or one of many ways (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).  Jesus Himself said that He is the way (John 14:6), and only through Him do we have access to the Father.

The New Testament speaks of Christ establishing only one church, of building His church (again, singular, not many).  In Eph. 4:4 Paul writes there is one body, and earlier he stated that the church is Christ’s body (Eph. 1:22-23).  He states it clearly in Col. 1:18; “He is also head of the body, the church.”  Those who believe that there are many churches and that, no matter the differences in what they teach, they all are acceptable to God, must find that opinion somewhere other than in the word of God.

To hold the view that any way we choose to live for God is pleasing to God, one must ignore what Jesus through Scripture teaches.  Do not substitute your desires for God’s will.  Jesus said of those in His day, “In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9).  Let us determine today to stand firm in Christ, even in the most difficult of times, and know He will see us through everything we encounter. Today, in Christ, have a great day. God bless.

Robert