The Narrow Gate, Part 3

Just using Jesus's Name?

Jesus said this in Matthew 7:13-14

"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."

"What does this mean? It almost sounds like He is saying that unless you accept Him, you will not go to Heaven. It sounds like He is saying that ONLY those that accept Him will go to Heaven. It almost sounds like even some of those who profess Jesus IS Lord, will not go to Heaven? Really? What is this all about?"

The simple answer is YES. Yes. To all those questions.

1- You must first believe

2- There is only ONE Way, Truth, and Life.

We have discussed One and Two, but what about Three? Could this really be true?

3- Yes, even some "Christians" will find their way through the Wide Gate.

Wait, what does that mean? Even some people that do things in Jesus's Name, will NOT go to Heaven?

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." {Matthew 7:21-23}

Who is Jesus talking about? "Workers of Iniquity?" They were most likely NOT Adulterers, Murderers, Drunkards, Extortioners, nor Thieves, or any other openly profane Sinners. No, simply put, they did the work of the Lord deceitfully. They Preached themselves, and not Christ. They sought their own things, and not His Plans and Purpose. Whatever they did, they did with a wicked mind, and not out of a Pure Heart and an open living Relationship with God Himself. Jesus tells us of these people starting in Matthew 6:1

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."

He goes on to describe many like Practices

"2 Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."


"5 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."

"16 And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."

He tells us to do all these things,

"in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

These are they that Jesus is talking about in Matthew 15:7-9

"You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."

Why? They had no true love to God, nor faith in Him.They did not even fear of Him. They were not at all concerned with his Presence with them, or for communion with Him. They did not have a one on one relationship with Him. They were not seeking His Honour and Glory, rather their own. Their Hearts and Mind were in the World. They made Religion a tool to their Secular Purposes.

People still do this today. Many start their own Religions in the simple hope of Power and self-gain. This is why Religion is NOT Salvation. Religion is nothing more than man-made Traditions, that may or may not, have anything to do with God. Even if they tell you that what they are doing they do in the name of God. Look at John 8:38-47

"I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."

He was not talking about or to normal every day believing people. He was talking to Priests and Rulers of the Synagogues. He is talking to Religious Leaders. People that were doing things in the name of God and Religion, yet Jesus called them the Children of the Devil. Remember this as well. The Devil knows Jesus is real. He knows that Jesus is Lord. He was there when the Bible was written and can quote it Chapter and Verse. Does this make Satan a Saved Being? Of course not.

So who IS going to enter in the Narrow Gate?

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’" {Matthew 25:34-36}

These are those that not only do the Works of God, but they do it out of Love for Jesus. They do so because the have Faith in Jesus. They do so because they have a one on one relationship with God Himself. They have been Adopted into the Family of God through the Holy Spirit and they are truly Following Jesus. Remember, if you say you are following someone and or something, yet no one sees you actually moving, are you truly doing anything?

You tell someone that "God loves you, and Jesus died for you." Yet? They see you living Worldly and doing nothing more than talk, are they going to believe you? As The Word says in James 2:15-16

"If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?"

No, my friend, Jesus IS. He has always been. John 8:58

"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

Get to know the REAL Jesus. Get to know the REAL God. First, be Adopted into the Family, then enter into and grow in a one on one RELATIONSHIP with God. This is what He wants from you. He wants to be your Daddy. He wants you to BE His Child and do His Work. Then, and only then, will you have any Hope in finding and entering in through the Narrow Gate.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh Heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord!