Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
As tempting as it is to focus on Revelation and the end times with what we see rolling out in current events,
we must be focused and prepared for the Rapture.
Our attention needs to be more of what is going on in our heart rather than what is going on around us.
Yes, we should be aware of the times we are living in.
We are commanded to do so:
Jeremiah 8:7 (KJV) Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.
Matthew 16:2-3 (KJV) He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (KJV) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
But we MUST also be aware of what is happening in our heart.
Are we slipping away from God?
Are we focusing on the wrong things in this life?
Don’t forget, the whole purpose of coming to Jesus and living for Him is to be with Him forever.
I don’t want to miss that by being sidetracked with the cares of this life.
I’m reminded of the allegorical story of Pilgrims progress where “Christian” has to walk the straight narrow path, while wild animals were chained and coming at him on both sides.
The animals were trying to get to him and startle him, in order to get him to move from one side or the other. therefore, losing his place on the straight path.
Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV) 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: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
We must not be persuaded to move off the path of holiness and dedication to God.
As Christians, we are aware of our surroundings in these last days.
All of what is happening is a reminder that we are close to the Coming of Christ
It’s a reminder that we need to prepare for a MOVE!
We are about to be called up! Raptured!
We have to have our “spiritual ears” on full alert.
Continuing to dive deep in the Word of God
Seeking Jesus and listening for His voice in our life
Prepared to give an account and defend the Word of God
1 Peter 3:15 (KJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
We also must prepare to give an account of ourselves:
Romans 14:11-12 (KJV) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Keeping on the straight path involves:
1. Building your strong spiritual foundation
Matthew 7:24-27 (KJV) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
The wise man will build his house on a rock.
A rock is a solid foundation that will keep you steady in times of life’s turbulence
A solid rock is what our Christian walk is based on
1 Samuel 2:2 (KJV) There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
1 Corinthians 10, Speaking of Moses guiding his people through the wilderness
1 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
The Rock is Jesus!
Our foundation that we build here in this world will determine where we spend eternity
Keeping on the straight path involves:
2. Entering the straight gate=walking straight
Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV) 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: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
“Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction.”
Many will miss heaven because of the Broadway.
The Broadway is the way of man.
The Broadway is the way of the world, the flesh and the devil
The Broadway is always anti-Christ.
The Broadway hates Jesus and those that follow Him.
The Broadway will make you feel that you are fanatical because of your love for God
But God’s gate is strait!
It’s narrow because it sees things in a straight way.
There are no gray areas in morality.
There is a right way and the wrong way.
You can’t play both ways or live a life of compromise with the world.
Sin is Sin! There is no middle road with sin.
What God calls unholy is still unholy!
Yes, “God loves the people and hates the sin.”
I have heard all my adult life from people trying to justify homosexuality and other sins that God is opposed to.
But it’s the people who commit the sin!
God hates sin and the people that live a rebellious life.
Revelation 22:14-15 (KJV) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Look how the Berean study Bible put’s it…
Revelation 22:14-15 (BSB) Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. 15 But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
God hates sin and the people that live a rebellious life!
Revelation 21:27 (KJV) And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
This is why we must examine ourselves with the washing of the Blood of Christ (take up your cross daily) and the washing and regeneration of the Word of God!
The strait gate leads to eternal life with God.
Unfortunately, there are only few who find it.
That is a fact and not some narrow-minded judgement.
God “So loved the World, that he gave…”
He gave all.
He gave His Son
He continues to give the Holy Spirit
He is preparing a place for us right now.
He gives health because by His stripes we are healed.
He gives peace that passes all understanding.
He gives wisdom liberally of all that ask.
He gives you guidance of all that listen.
God is a giver!
Don’t allow life to get so complicated that it makes you wobbly and unstable.
Walk straight and don’t slip off the path in this life!
Don’t allow the world to slip you into hell.
Keep your spiritual eye’s open as you walk the paths in this life!
Ever see someone text on their phones as they walk? …
They will get hurt!
-So will you if you don’t keep your spiritual eyes opened
They bump into things that they are not supposed to. (fellowshipping with the wrong crowd & wrong places)
-So will you if you don’t keep your spiritual eyes opened
They get pushed and jostled around in the crowd. (always have a problem and an excuse as to why they can’t do something for God and Church)
-So will you if you don’t keep your spiritual eyes opened
They will fall into things, traps, pitfalls in the road. (They don’t get it! They are ever learning but never coming to the full knowledge of God. Always having to be taught)
-So will you if you don’t keep your spiritual eyes opened
They will get hit by cars. (When things hit them hard in life, they resort back to their old ways. They go back to the familiar sins of drinking and drugs etc., never satisfied)
-So will you if you don’t keep your spiritual eyes opened
We must keep watch until Jesus comes!
There are too many false prophets and false churches preaching another Jesus in these last days.
Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Don’t allow life to get so complicated that it makes you wobbly and unstable.
Keep Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of your faith.
