HILLSIDE HELPS-“ 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:”(Matthew 7:13) Jesus used comparisons and contrasts in His teaching. For instance, He compared light and darkness, life and death, the saved and the lost, friends and foes, those that are for Him or against Him, or the sheep and the goats. In this passage, Jesus lays out for us, very clearly, four main ideas, each in contrast to the other. There are two gates, two ways, two companies, and two destinies. He reveals the entrance into life as being either through a strait and narrow gate or through a wide gate. The two ways are the narrow way or the broad way. The two companies include a few or many. The two destinies are life or destruction. Let’s look more closely at the choice of entering in through the wide gate and its consequences. The entrance into a life of self-centeredness, sensuality, irresponsibility, carefree and loose living, without regard for God or the feelings of others is through a very wide gate. It is well-advertised and easy to locate. It seems that virtually everybody is in line waiting for their chance to enter in. Once inside, the way is very appealing for virtually everything is free and easy. There are no rules to follow, no judges to condemn, and no clock to watch. Just about anything goes, for there is no conscience, no conviction, no funny spiritual feelings. So many friends join in on this journey and enjoy their loose life style ever catering to every urging of the fleshly desires. It’s a round the clock party. All appears to be fulfilling and satisfying, that is, until the path comes near to its end. To the surprise of each traveler, the end is not some utopia that had often been spoken about in the masses. There is much alarm among the travelers, a stir of never seen before anxiety and fear. For at the end is no bliss, but torment and destruction. The sounds coming from the crowd have changed from laughter to weeping. One by one each traveler falls off into a burning flame of destruction. Their destiny is a lake of fire. Once in the fire there are wails and the gnashing of teeth as each makes a wish it would end, and soon, but are told that there will be no end to it forever. Eternal punishment is forever without an end. Many have discovered one second after death that the path they were on had led them to a destiny beyond, but not in heaven with God. Their destiny is “destruction”. How sad for those who choose the wrong entrance into life, only to find out later that their end would not be peace, rest, quiet, and comfort ,but instead it is an eternal death, a dying that would never end, forever being punished in the flames of a fire prepared for the many like themselves. God warns all of us throughout His Word concerning the coming destruction of those who are His enemies. You are either friends with God or foes of God. Eternal death and hell have been prepared for those who refuse Christ and enter into the “broadway”. Don’t be caught dead without trusting in Christ as your Lord and Savior. Love you all (Bro Jerry McNeer) PLEASE SHARE
Posted on: Fri, 16 May 2014 10:42:38 +0000
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