“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14(NLT)
This passage tells us that the road to heaven is very narrow and that few ever find it, and therefore few get to heaven. This may surprise some Christians, and should be received as a word of caution. It also says the road to heaven is difficult. It is speaking of how difficult it is to consistently follow God’s commands in everyday life.
The bible teaches that those that believe in Jesus will get to heaven. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, John 11:25 Some hold onto this promise and believe all they need to do is profess their faith in Jesus and they are home free. This is a huge misconception because salvation is not that simple. The Bible also teaches that we must GIVE our lives to Jesus and obey God’s commandments to get to heaven. And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:16-17
Another translation of Matthew 7:13-14 goes like this: “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. (The Message) It cautions us that the road to life requires our total attention and is NOT easy.
Consider Ephesians 2:8-9; For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Our salvation is a gift from God made possible by Jesus’ atonement for our sins, and not of any works of our own. However, in order to truly accept Jesus as our Savior we must fully give our lives to His purpose, and follow His ways. For more teachings on this see Luke 8:21, John 15:13-14, John 14:15-17a, Romans 8:1-39
If we profess our belief in Jesus but fail to live our lives the way He taught us to, we will not receive entry into heaven. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Hanging around with other Christians and going through the motions does NOT make you a true Jesus follower. He knows your heart and how much you love Him. Our intentions should be for His purposes. Only those who truly follow Jesus will gain entry to heaven.
Luckily, there is hope for all. Eternal life is free and available to everyone who turns from sin, accepts Jesus as savior, and follows His commands. All can be washed clean and receive eternal life in heaven!
In closing, I would like to think that, upon dying, ALL people are given the chance to accept Jesus and gain entry to heaven. The fact is, such details as these are not for us to know. We can only base our knowledge on what God tells us in the bible. Based on His word, the road to heaven is difficult and narrow, and few will ever find it. However, if you give your life to Jesus and live for His will, you should be among the few who do!
--Kelly Supek
Other scripture verses that teach of receiving eternal life are: Luke 6:46-49, Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 19:23-24, Matthew 10:17-22, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Matthew 5:20
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