A close friend of mine who reach the age of 103 years old told me a vision he had about Heaven. He said he was trying to climb a wall, and each time he got near the top he would slide down. He knew Heaven was on the other side, so he continued to climb. After several attempts he was able to make it to the top. He said he saw the Lords Supper Table, and it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Instantly he was at peace within himself. I believe there is no issue more important than dealing with our eternal destiny, and it should not be taken lightly. We do not want to be ignorant, deceived, or wrong about our future beyond the grave. You and I don’t have to be uncertain about going to Heaven because of the scripture Jesus has given us concerning the conditions for going there.
There is a much-asked question, which needs answering for Christians today. “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” Jesus puts the focus on the individual instead of focusing on theological questions pertaining to the destiny of other people. You and I need to focus on our own entrance into Heaven.
According to recent polls, between 80-95% of all people expect to go to Heaven. Is it that some people are taking Heaven for granted? Jesus implied that such an attitude was seriously wrong and dangerous because, “many will try to enter [Heaven] and will not be able to.” Rather than taking Heaven for granted, people should strive to enter through the narrow gate. If Heaven is a free gift, then what are we striving for? We have to strive to enter Heaven because the door is “narrow.” The word ‘narrow’ is a Greek word meaning ‘restrictive.’ While a person cannot earn entrance into Heaven, there are restrictions on who will go there. Not everybody who wants to go will go—only those who come on God’s terms. And those terms are narrow (restrictive), which means many people are excluded.
God’s terms for entering Heaven are confession, repentance, and a genuine trust and commitment in Jesus alone. The commitment to Jesus will mean things like self-denial (taking up our cross), persecution, and humility. These are God’s terms for entering through Heaven’s doors. In a sense, these terms are narrow because they do exclude a lot of people. Many people are offended by these restrictive and humbling terms. Many of us should re-think our assumption about going to Heaven and not have a false hope.
The entrance to Heaven is narrow, and you must come through the one door—which is Jesus. These are God’s terms, and his terms are the only ones that count. Being sincere in your belief is not enough. Being a good person is not enough. Being religious is not enough. Such restrictive ideas are considered narrow minded and they are, but keep in mind it is Jesus who said that you must come through the “narrow door.”
My weekly prayer is that the reader of this commentary becomes spiritually inspired of God. Contact Expressions of Faith at P.O. Box 330127, Nashville, Tenn. 37203; or e-mail <watsonwr68@gmail.com>. God bless!
