Every
human being travels the same journey of life, but which path are you on? Are
you on a path to the Law, trusting in your own self-righteousness to get you
into the celestial city? You won't be allowed into Heaven when you get
there.
So many people are traveling down a wrong path, just as the picture to the left shows. The path to eternal life is a narrow path, a strait gate, that few people ever find. The path is difficult to find because it is obscured by false religion, lying deceit and self-righteous ambitions. There are many antichrists in the world. 2nd John 1:7, “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”
There are other deceivers who pervert the grace of God by teaching that salvation can be lost by committing further sins, or that a believer must stay the course to maintain their salvation. These are traps and deceptions that lead to Hell, because they are rooted in self-righteousness. Romans 11:6, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Repeatedly the Bible warns about about trusting in vain works for salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
If salvation is not of ourselves, then we cannot do anything to keep it once we have it. Salvation is without works of self-righteousness. We are saved by Jesus' righteousness. Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; and all these things shall be added unto you.” It is by Jesus' work of redemption that we are saved. Jesus paid for our sins with His precious, literal blood. 1st Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” Amen!
There are so many wrong paths you take on the journey of life, that all lead to the Lake of Fire. The narrow path which leads to life is solely by faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, to forgive your sins. Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Salvation is found only in the name of Jesus. But don't make the grave mistake of thinking that you must give up your sins to obtain it, for even if you stopped committing all your sins, you still have many sins on your record.
Also, don't make the deadly mistake of thinking that you must live righteously to avoid losing salvation. This is also is a path to Hell, because you are trusting in your own self-righteousness to keep the gift of God. That is a road to Hell. Salvation is receiving, not giving. Eternal life is the gift of God, paid for by Jesus precious blood. Do not frustrate the grace of God or insult God, by trying to keep that which was not yours to give in ther first place. Salvation is of the Lord.
Whether it be a path of keeping the Law, or trying to keep one's salvation by good works, these are wrong paths. The true path is Jesus Christ. John 14:6-7, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” Jesus is the manifestation of the Godhead to the world (1st Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9). In Jesus, we see God the Father and the Spirit of God. All God the Father requires for salvation is that we come to Him by way of His dear Son, Jesus, the King of glory, our precious Redeemer and Savior.
Please consider the path you're on. Are you on the right path? The highway to Hell is broad and many people are headed for eternal destruction. The Rock band AC/DC brags that they are on the HIGHWAY TO HELL, and so it is. God will not be mocked. 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” Do you know God? Have you obeyed the gospel? The good news is simply that Jesus came into the world to SAVE SINNERS! Jesus died, was buried and rose again triumphant. Jesus overcame the world (John 16:33). We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 8:37).
Salvation happens when a person acknowledges their guilt of sin for breaking God's Laws; and believes on Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, for forgiveness of sins. Acts 16:31-32, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.” John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” So few people today are truly trusting the Lord for their salvation. Many people have religion, but no truth. Catholics have churchianity, but they have no Christianity.
We are all travelling the same journey of life, but are you on the right path? John 10:1 and 9, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber ... I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” The right path is simple: we are SINNERS and Jesus is the SAVIOR. We are saved by faith alone, because we are saved solely by JESUS' RIGHTEOUSNESS, i.e., the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ.
