Which one of these verses in Matthew 7:13-14 from different bibles (and I won’t even tell you which one they are) makes salvation sound hard?
1. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
2. “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.”
The last few words in those verses say that “few there be that find it.” Meaning, there are only a few that are saved when it is all said and done. Why will there only be a few? Because there are LOTS that believe in works for their salvation. Why would they believe that? One reason is because one of the bibles (which is used by MANY) teaches it; thus, in turn, they teach it to others and so forth until that way of teaching “sounds” normal.
In one of the bibles and it’s verse above talks about how “difficult” it is to get saved.
It is subtle things like this that will lead MULTITUDES down the wrong path. It may look/sound subtle but one of the verses above teach a works-based salvation and the other does NOT.
However, this subtle deception has been going on for ages. The deceiver began questioning the word of God from Gensis 3 (…Yea, hath God said…) until now. Can’t you see it? Can’t you see the word of God has been questioned ever since? It is probably the biggest deception of all time. Twisting the scriptures which entered the “scholar” world and has led many preachers without any authority because they don’t believe in the preserved word of God. They believe God heals, but they can’t believe God preserved His word? I know they believe God can do both. Because He can. They mostly have been misguided and are too prideful to acknowledge they have been deceived about the word of God.
Is salvation narrow and difficult?
Or is salvation narrow?
Salvation is narrow NOT difficult.
Why is it narrow? Because there is only ONE way of salvation. That is through Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6).
Why is it NOT difficult?
Because God gave us the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:23 – “…..but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”)
The word of God has been preserved and we can build our life foundation on what God says.
In fact, when the voice which came from heaven that said that He was well pleased with His beloved Son, we NOW also have a “more sure word.” (2 Peter 1:19). We have the word of God. And friend, that is something that we can stand on. This word did not come from “the will of man”, no, it came from “holy men of God” when “they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
I hope today that you see that salvation is a gift and that we have today the word of God that “is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Take care,
-Brent
