Faith in Christ leads to Life in Christ

Matthew 7:13-14 - Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

How do you know that you believe? That's an important question to ask for every professing believer because there often is no doubt about how we're saved... but rather if we're saved. How do you know that the faith you claim will see you to eternal life? How do you know that you really believe that Jesus is your Savior and Lord? In this passage, we are confronted with two gates leading to two paths.

The narrow gate leads to salvation... it's narrow because it says Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) and that there is no other way to be saved (Acts 4:12). To enter the narrow gate is to have faith in Jesus alone. The wide gate leads to destruction... it's wide because it says any way will do. There are no rules, no restrictions, and it makes no claim on your life. To enter the wide gate is to have faith in whatever you want and certainly not in Jesus alone.

How do you know what kind of faith you have? How do you know that you really believe in Jesus alone? How do you know which gate you've entered? You have to look at which path you're on. The wide gate leads to a wide way while the narrow gate leads to a narrow way. To walk on a certain way (you can translate this as "path") is to live life a certain way. The narrow path is a life marked by obedience to God's Word, you live your life to abide by His revealed will. The broad path is a life marked by rebellion against God's Word, you live your life apart from His revealed will.

How do you know if YOU believe? Here's the test... you need to examine your life and see if it is marked by obedience to God's Word. The point is this... faith in Christ always leads to life in Christ.

Oh to see that day

Acts 7:55-56 - But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Our present, partial glimpse of God in all things does not even begin to compare with the future, full unveiling of God in all His splendor and majesty... oh to see that day when sin is done away! Look forward to that day Christian... when we will be with the Father, pure in heart... undivided in devotion... perfect in holiness... seeing Him face to face!

Shepherds' Conference =)

I'll be at the Shepherds' Conference for the next couple of days... see you in a couple of days!