Years ago my nephew posted a comment on his Facebook page that caught my attention. He wrote, “There are two big signs at Wal-Mart that say Enter and Exit, but people never use the right doors. I’m wondering, can they not read or do they just not care?” Heaven also has an entrance sign. It exists as surely as the Wal-Mart signs. While entering and exiting Wal-Mart has no bearing on the eternal outcome of one’s life, following heaven’s sign does. Jesus said we must find and use the proper entrance into heaven. “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” (Matt. 7:13–14). Jesus later said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Any old way into heaven does not work. Only the “narrow gate” that opens to the “difficult” (straightened, confined) way gives us access to heaven. Yet, many, many people appear to think they can ignore heaven’s entrance sign. That works for Wal-Mart, but not for heaven. Jesus and His apostles taught a plan of salvation that sinners must obey to be saved. It is plainly posted, just like Wal-Mart’s sign. To be saved (enter heaven) the lost soul must hear the gospel (John 6:44-45; Rom. 10:17). One must then believe Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:23-24; Rom. 10:9-10). One must confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10). The lost sinner must repent toward God and his or her sins against God (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30; 20:21). This repentant sinner must then be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). The Lord adds this saved person to His church, who is then taught to live faithfully to Jesus (Acts 2:47; Eph. 2:10; 2 Tim. 4:7-8; 2 Pet. 1:10-11). Heaven’s entrance sign does not say “Faith Only” (James 2:24). It does not say “Just be Sincere” (Acts 23:1; 26:9). It does not say “I Didn’t Know” (Acts 3:17; 1 Tim. 1:13). It does not say, “Find Your Own Way In.” Jesus is the only way into heaven (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). His gospel is the only power to save us (Rom. 1:16; Matt. 7:21-23). So, when you refuse to read and use heaven’s entrance sign God posted, “I’m wondering, can you not read or do you just not care?” Start caring and using heaven’s entrance today. Obey the gospel of Jesus, be saved, and faithfully follow Him. Then, you will enter heaven God’s way (Heb. 5:9).
Joe R. Price
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