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 (KJV)
Most people in the world want a Savior but not a LORD. The New Testament is clear, a Savior who is not LORD is no Savior and no friend. If the Old Testament showed us anything, it is that God's truth was written not for his fascination but for his people's preservation. Many people today, maybe even most, believe they are saved because they think their good deeds outweigh their bad ones. Jesus, however, is very clear: Most are lost and will not find their own way to salvation (Matthew 7:13-27). Only Jesus is the way to God (John 14:6), and no one can be saved except through Jesus (Acts 4:12). While Jesus longs to be the Savior of all people (John 4:42), he emphasizes that for him to be our Savior, we must also choose to live with him as our LORD. That means we are bearing fruit that displays his righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness in our lives (Galatians 3:22-23). So, let's live that kind of life, enter through that narrow gate, and produce Jesus' style of holy fruit as we trust in him as our Savior and LORD!
Holy LORD Jesus, please take control of my life and my will. I long to be wholly yours. I want you as my Savior and my LORD. I want to honor you, not just in word, but also in thought, word, and deed. Trusting you as my Savior and LORD, I offer you my heart, my life, and my all as I confess this before the Father and pray through you, LORD Jesus. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
—Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Most people in the world want a Savior but not a LORD. The New Testament is clear, a Savior who is not LORD is no Savior and no friend. If the Old Testament showed us anything, it is that God's truth was written not for his fascination but for his people's preservation. Many people today, maybe even most, believe they are saved because they think their good deeds outweigh their bad ones. Jesus, however, is very clear: Most are lost and will not find their own way to salvation (Matthew 7:13-27). Only Jesus is the way to God (John 14:6), and no one can be saved except through Jesus (Acts 4:12). While Jesus longs to be the Savior of all people (John 4:42), he emphasizes that for him to be our Savior, we must also choose to live with him as our LORD. That means we are bearing fruit that displays his righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness in our lives (Galatians 3:22-23). So, let's live that kind of life, enter through that narrow gate, and produce Jesus' style of holy fruit as we trust in him as our Savior and LORD!
My Prayer...
Holy LORD Jesus, please take control of my life and my will. I long to be wholly yours. I want you as my Savior and my LORD. I want to honor you, not just in word, but also in thought, word, and deed. Trusting you as my Savior and LORD, I offer you my heart, my life, and my all as I confess this before the Father and pray through you, LORD Jesus. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
