“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Jesus – Matthew 7:13, 14 English Standard Version)
Jesus said that there are only two roads or ways that one can travel: the wide, easy way and the narrow, hard way. He explains that the easy way leads to destruction and that the hard way leads to life. Who wouldn’t choose life in heaven instead of eternal destruction?
In John 14:6 Jesus explains that He is the way, the truth, and the life; if someone wants to come to God, they must come by Him alone.
Jesus’ way leads to the cross, where He Himself died in each person’s place. Every sin requires God’s punishment: eternal death in hell. But on the cross, Jesus took our sin upon Himself and received God’s judgment for it. Because He never sinned, He became the perfect sacrifice, taking the punishment that we deserve for our sin. But he didn’t stay dead. God raised Him from the dead, breaking the power of death so that He could give us eternal life–a life filled with forgiveness, joy, and peace.
You can receive eternal life by admitting to God that you are a sinner, believing that Jesus paid for your sins on the cross, and accepting His free gift of eternal life – His life. If you do this, you will be spiritually reborn as a child of God and begin a joyful relationship with God in this life. When this life is over, you will go to live with Him forever!
Remember that Jesus said that His way, the way leading to life, is also a hard way. Accepting God’s salvation through Jesus will not make your life easier. In fact, it will bring many new struggles and difficulties into your life. But God’s children never have to face a trial without His loving, comforting, and abiding presence.
Your good works cannot save you; it is only because of God’s mercy that we receive salvation. There is nothing you can do to gain entrance except to enter by Him. There is no one else who can open that door for you. You do not have to keep entering the door many times; Jesus died once to pay for our sins and you only need to walk through His door of salvation ONE time and you will ALWAYS be saved–for eternity! You do not need anyone else to intercede for you or work on your behalf. The sacrifice of Jesus, the Son of God, on the cross is totally sufficient to give you forgiveness for sins and eternal life in Him.
Jesus said, “I am the door; if any man enters by me, he will be saved…” (John 10:9). All you need to do is walk through the door!