Skip to main content

The Door

“Jesus said: I am the door. If anyone enters by Me he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9

In my previous devotional, I used the word “exclusivity” in describing the Gospel. I’m sure that word rubs many people the wrong way, but it is precisely what the scriptures teach, throughout the Bible, both old and new testaments. But people want it to be otherwise. They want it to be all inclusive. You’ve heard the phrase, “all religions lead to God, we just take different paths to get there.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Remember yesterday’s verse? “I am the Way and the Truth.” Yet people have believed that lie since the beginning of time, so much so that it has spawned large movements of theology that have denied the doctrine of hell throughout the ages. That is actually the premise of the doctrine of universalism which is a subtle and pervasive doctrine that has fooled even many believers because they just don’t want to believe that God will reject anyone and send them to a Christless eternity. I’ll be glad to cite names and authors if you wish.

But the Word says Jesus is the Door. I remember a Sunday school song I sang as a child:
One door and only one
And yet its sides are two
Inside and outside, on which side are you?
One door and only one
And yet its sides are two
I’m on the inside, on which side are you?
Jesus said He stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20). Which side of the door are you on? Either you’re in or you’re out, there’s no fence sitting with this one. Have you opened the door and let Him in? There is NO OTHER GOSPEL.

Prayer Focus: Lord, thank You for being the door through which we can enter a relationship with You. The pictures You give us are so clear, help us not to confuse or cloud them for others.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Storyteller

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” Acts 1:8-9 These are the last words Jesus speaks to his Apostles just before ascending into heaven. Not what they were expecting. They were wondering when Jesus was going to set up His Kingdom on earth. As He was ascending into heaven He reveals we are the ones to accomplish the task. Jesus’ departure is not desertion; it is a commission to be the storytellers of truth to the rest of the world. Frequently, we look at this scripture in relationship to our life. We perceive Jerusalem as our own community, Judea as our city, Samaria as our country and the ends of the earth as the world. Christ informed the apostles they will have the power of the Holy Spirit to reach these people. Notice the word “and...” Jesus didn’t say...

Generosity Draws

“And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 4:33-37 I had the opportunity recently to offer something of value to some friends. It was passes to a golf tournament. I only had two, so I started checking with them one at a time. The first several were not able to take advantage of them, but something struck me. In declining, each of them expressed appreciation. Generosity had touched them. Joseph from Cyprus was a generous person. It was shown in two ways. He was generous with his possessions. He sold some property he owned to provide for needy people. And he was so gen...

The Baptism that Divides

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” Luke 12:49-51 Jesus was feeling the weight of His passion, the baptism of His death. What that baptism was going to release is anything but peace. There is and will be great division between people because of Christ. Rejection by family and friends, within families, deep divisions of world views. The fire of the purging of sin in our lives and the establishment of the righteousness He desires to release is evident. And it will continue until the end of time. We often think of the meekness and gentleness of Jesus. But never forget that He is also holy, righteous and just. And one day everyone, by faith or by force, will acknowledge Him as Lord. Prayer Focus: Jesus, thank You for carrying the weight of justice for each of us. Thank You for...