The Burning Building

In Matthew's gospel in chapter 7 and in verses 13 through 14 in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus preached that many are on a broad way that leads to destruction. Listen to verse 14 and focus upon his words regarding salvation. Because straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it.

Jesus plainly teaches in this passage both the difficulty and scarcity of those who make it into heaven. He says the way is narrow. In John 14 6 Jesus says he is the way.

I am the way. Let that sink in friend. Jesus says I am the way the truth and the life.

Now notice carefully what he says next. No man cometh unto the Father but by me. Now listen friends to how Jesus refers to himself and John's gospel in chapter 10 and verse 9. I am the door.

By me if any man enter in he shall be saved. Now friend picture in your mind a burning building. There are people trapped in that burning inferno face an utter destruction and death.

There is a door. It is marked exit and all those who pass through that door will be saved. But first they must find the door and there's only one way out and it is through this door.

It must be found. Once found it must be opened with great difficulty and one must strive to get through it for it is a matter of life or death. In Matthew we read and from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of Hebron suffereth violence and the violent take it by force.

That door to safety must be opened and entered by violence for burning flames are at your back. Jesus said no man cometh unto the Father but by me. The people in that burning building need to be rescued.

There is a way out through the exit door to safety. Hell is a region of torments and flames and there is only one way to avoid being cast into hell and its fires. Like the people in that burning building there is only one way out.

Jesus is the door. The only door. Jesus is the way.

The only way. Jesus is Lord. The only Lord.

There is therefore no way of salvation open for man apart from unconditional surrender to Christ as Lord. False Gospels will speak of an easier way but they only lead to destruction and perdition. Christ is Lord.

The only Lord. In this sense the gospel is absolutely intolerant. God declares for I am God and there is none else.

God is the God of all men and there can be salvation and no other. The conclusion is turn to me and be saved. There are many doors and ways of the world religions that lead only to death and destruction.

A watered-down gospel does not differ from Hinduism or Buddhism as they each lead astray to the same inferno. Jesus speaks of the danger of trying to climb up to heaven by false doors. He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up some other way the same is a thief and a robber.

Again Jesus says I am the door. By me if any man enter in he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture. Being trapped in a burning building is a terrible and horrifying death especially when there was a way out through the exit door.

Jesus is the door and he declares I am the way the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me. Repent of your sins and come to Christ and believe on him and own him as your Lord.

There is no other way. If you miss Christ you will surely die in your sins and be burned in flames while clothed in your religious coverings and hanging on to a false hope that turned out only to be a wrong door. Let us pray.