"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Thursday, April 11, 2024 - Day 102 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: 1 Samuel 10-12; Luke 13:22-35)
THE ONLY DOOR
And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Luke13: 23-24 ESV)
Jesus is saying that only those who enter through the narrow door will get into heaven. What is He talking about? Listen to how His answers to that question:
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep... I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:7-11 ESV)
On our recent vacation in Hawaii, my wife and I were surprised with the extremely strong Mormon presence on Oahu. On several evening walks I came across Jehovah Witnesses on the street offering free bibles (filled with false and misleading interpretations). While both groups are made up of good and moral people, they are both following false leaders. Why? Because both relatively new groups deny that Jesus is the only door to forgiveness and heaven. They may pray in Jesus’ name and may even say that Jesus is a Son of God, but they do not believe what we Christians believe... that Jesus is THE Son of God!
"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12 ESV)
"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."(Philippians 2:9-11)
In the game show, Let’s Make A Deal, the contestants are asked to choose between three doors with a chance to win a big prize. They can win big or go home with next to nothing. When it comes to your soul, the right door is made know to you only in the person of Jesus, your Savior and your Lord. He is the only One you can truly trust!
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV)
The only ones who enter through the narrow door are those who confess their sins and trust in Christ as Savior and Lord.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the narrow door and for accepting sinners like me. Please keep my faith in You strong so that I may continue to be an heir of eternity with You in heaven! Until then, please use me to help other sinners know that You are their door to heaven too. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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