THE NARROW AND WIDE DOORS (GATES)

Hi, everyone! It has been some time since we posted new communications on our English blog, and it is time we update our pictures as well. So we will introduce you to our new surroundings, and then we well be talking to you about what the Scriptures have to say about the "two kinds of doors or ways"!!

In Matthew 7:13,14, the Lord speaks about a wide door and a narrow door. The wide door according Jesus is the door that leads to a spacious road to destruction, whereas the narrow door leads to life. What is more the Lord emphaticallyt expresses that MANY people enter the wide door, wheres FEW enter the small door. Why is that? Take time to read Matthew 7:123,14 and also Luke 13: 22-30. Read these portions calmly and slowly - think about that you are reading.

According to these Scriptures, Jesus is giving this warning as well as this invitation, and thereby answering the question of a certain person. The questions was: "Lord, are only a few people going to heaven?" To this Jesus answered them, that is all who were present at this occasion. We can also assume that the Lord is anwering those very same questions that we have in our hearts today.

Please give full attention to the words of Jesus that "only a few will entre the small gate (door) that leads to life. Whereas in the portion in Luke, He says, "many 'I tell you' will try to enter through the narrow door and will not be able to."

Friends, Christ died, and rose again for us, that is why it is SO important for us to listen to what God says in His word to us, instead of following the teachings of mortal man that often contradict what the Word of God says. For example: the Bible tells and here I can say God HIMSELF says, " it is not we who sought God, but He sought us IN CHRIST. If we follow the teachings of man without checking out if that is what the SCRIPTURES say is as described as blind men leading the blind. And the result is that both will fall into pit. Luke 19:10 says, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Turn with me to Romans 3:11-18 and let us read together: "... there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poisen of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of pece they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Do we believe this?!)

Now please give careful attention to what I am about to say here. It does NOT say here that pagans only live this kind of life style, nor that it refers to the Jews; what is written here INCLUDES US ALL. Be it you are a person well educated, or ignorant, big or small, rich or poor.

Romans 3:9,10 says this: "What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Nota at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one."

It is possible for someone to come with this question: If this is how it is, who then can be saved?
Let us look at verse 19 in Romans chapter 3 and see what continues here: "Nos we know that whatever the law says, it says to those that are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather through the law we become conscience of sin.

Let us try and understand something about the wide door and the narrow door that we read about in Matthew 7:13,14. Give all attention to the word MANY enter that day. It does not say that many are seeking the wide door and the wide road (way). Our Lord says that the small door and the narrow way only a FEW find it. It is similar with other Scriptures - it is important that we compare Scripture with Scripture that teach or talk about the same topic or subject. We already mentioned the Scripture portion in Romans 3:11-18 at the beginning of this blog. We saw so clearly that there is no one human being that is good in the sight of God, not even one! There are other Scriptures that confirm this truth. Since we have all been born in sin (with the sinful nature) we are quite ready and naturally continue on the wide road that leads to perdition . Even though children were born to parents who believed the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and in God's mercy taught their children in the Way, and saw their parents' example, etc., they, as they grew, realized that even though they had such parents, and such example, they still NEVERTHELESS had the sin nature within themselves , and that they needed to repent and obey the Gospel individually for themselves. Each one of us, individually, must seek to enter the small door that leads to life, eternal life.

Belove blogger friends that are reading this message. On which road are you actually at this moment? Maybe some of you are thinking: "Which is the right way that leads to eternal life? " "Which is the narrow way?" Jesus Himself answers this clearly and absolutely! He says this: "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father but by Me. (John 14"6

How can we find that way? The answer is that THAT WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE came to us and is here today. JESUS came into this world to save sinncers like you and I. Remember? There is no one good, no not even one! We must all come to Him. The Bible is so clear in saying it is not we who seek God, but it is He Who loved the world and sent His only begotten SON that whosoever believeth in His Son shall have eternal life. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. (1 John 4:10). This means that the sinless son of God, His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead and being lifted up and seated at the right hand of God, the Father, was that we, you and I, might be reconciled with God through faith in Christ. "The one who believes in the Son of God has eternal life, but the one who does not believe will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:36)

To enter in through the small door and be on the narrow road, friends, means that we, you and I, must repent of our sins and put our faith in Jesus.

Do you have any questions? Write and ask us. Do you have any comments? Write and tell us. We appreciated comments. Our address is: bbhenriquez@setarnet.aw

A Happy & Prosperous New Year in our Lord Jesus Christ!

FAITH AND WORKS – conclusion of three messages.

Today I want to conclude my messages on the subject of FAITH and WORKS. Of course, this does not mean that I have exhausted all the resources on the doctrines relating to this subject. We invite you, after reading carefully the three messages on this subject, and you still have questions, or you would like to comment on something written, to feel free to write us at: bbhenriquez@shaw.ca We would be so happy to hear from you. Or you may add your comment right on line: www.bicentoandbetty.blogspot.com.

The doctrine on FAITH and WORKS is of great importance for each one who has received Christ as his or her Savior and Lord. It is a decision that each one of us must personally make. No other person can make that decision for us. The Bible, containing Scriptures inspired by God Himself, by means of His Holy Spirit, is the only authority in this truth about Faith and Works.

In the past two messages which have been posted we commented somewhat about faith and works, by speaking about the faith of Abraham, because he is called by the Scriptures the father of all people of all nations who believe the God Who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead. It is this Jesus Who was given over to die for our sins, and was risen for our justification. Read these verses written so clearly for us in the entire fourth chapter of Romans.

Here Abraham is called the father of all who believe the Gospel. This title was given to Abraham as an example for us to do likewise. What, or which work did Abraham do? Was Abraham a perfect human being? Absolutely not; but the work that he did was that he believed God, and that fact or truth is what God attributed as righteousness to him. This signifies that the only way sinners like you and I can be declared justified, is if we too believe what God says about His only Son, our Lord Jesus.

Now what does God tell us about His Son? Please take a moment to read 1 John 5: 9-13. There are many other Scriptures as well, which speak of this truth from different aspects; and that is, that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) What is so extraordinary here is that the testimony of God the Father Himself is directed to us sinners, and not to the righteous. The Scriptures are very clear you see, because at “just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Be sure and read Romans 5:1-11).

So, friends, considering the Scriptures that I have mentioned and many more that we could mention, we can clearly see that the salvation of sinners is a WORK completely belonging to our Heavenly Father through His only Son Who is Jesus Christ. And that work is based on His love, mercy and compassion, and by His grace. The Bible compares all our righteous acts as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6). Nevertheless there are some things of tremendous importance that remain for you and me to do. And that is, TO BELIEVE in the SON of GOD, who died, crucified for our sins, but Who was risen from the dead on the third day, and received into Glory, from where He will come again to raise from the dead and transform all sinners who have believed the Gospel, so that they may forever be with Him. (Be sure and read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Now, a few more words about our acts, works or actions that we throughout our lives, as believers do. The Bible has much to say about the doctrine of these kinds of works or acts. We have already discussed that it is impossible for anyone to be saved by means of his own works. Nevertheless it is written that God has saved us by His grace through Christ to do good works which He prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:8-10). What is more, we read in the Scriptures that all who have believed the Gospel of the Grace of God must appear before the judgement seat of Christ that each one might receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10). Other Scriptures that are related and important as to our actual deeds, as children of God, based on the fact that we have repented and believe with our hearts in Jesus Christ can be found in 1 Cor. 3:10-23).

Brethren in the faith, or anyone else reading this message: There are many clear warnings in the Scriptures about faith and works. They are written so that we will not be deceived and call our selves a CHRISTIAN, when indeed our deeds are contradictory. For example the Bible says: “Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves not the greedy no drunkards nor slanderers now swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (Read 1 Cor. 6:9-11).

This is all for now on this topic. Do not hesitate to write us if you have questions about what we have discussed here. We want also to remind you to visit Libreria Victoria, at 25 Elleboogstraat in Oranjestad, Aruba for any needs you may have for a Bible, Gospel tracts or other Christian reading materials that can be of help to you in your walk of Faith.