The Bible describes coming to faith as a narrow gate.
”…for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt. 7:14. The life of God flows into us when we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior. The holy LIFE of God in our hearts connects us to the heavenly kingdom, the world of God’s blessings. Jesus accomplishes this: ”I am the door: if any man enter in by me, he shall be saved.” John 10:9.
Some feel that the gate is completely shut. Despite their efforts, they have not been able to enter. Why is this so? The reason is not in God. He desires to save every man. ”…who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim. 2:4. There are no exceptions. We do not believe in predestination or fatalism. “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that he turn from his way and live.” Ezekiel 33:11.
Can we blame the seeker?—The Bible promises that “everyone who seeks will find.” Luke 11:10. “You will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13. “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Rom. 10:13. But the gate opens to him who seeks ”with all his heart.”
Most often, the blind guide covers the narrow gate.
“If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” Matt. 15:14. The true door of salvation cannot be found unless the guide himself has found it. An unbeliever should not pretend to be a servant of Jesus. Ps. 50:16.
Healthy conversion to faith comes through the firm proclamation of God’s Word. “Our gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit, with much assurance.” 1 Thess. 1:5. “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified… And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power (why?), that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Cor. 2:2–5.
ONE REASON
Genuine conversion to faith is often hindered by the trivialization of sin. Jesus’ command is not taken literally:
“Repentance must be preached in his name for the forgiveness of sins.” Luke 24:47. Unless the purpose of the proclamation is to turn away from sin, healthy conversion cannot be expected. God wants to make every person guilty (contrary to modern teaching). “That the whole world may become guilty before him.” Rom. 3:19. That situation requires genuine repentance. 2 Cor. 12:21. “They were pierced through in the heart…” Acts 2:37. Think, my dear reader, what have you done against God? And what have you done against your neighbor? Have you ever repented of the evil you have done? Have you wept over your misery and wretchedness? Have you asked for forgiveness? Without a serious conversion (metanoia) to Jesus you will not get to heaven.
“When he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world of sin.” John 16:8. So everyone must acknowledge for themselves the fact that they are sinners. They have not only sinned, but they live in a state of sin, separated from God. Sinful acts are the result of a state of sin. Rom. 5:18,19. Those who are conscious of their sinful condition can be pointed to Jesus and the wonderful work of redemption on the cross. Only the merit of Jesus’ blood is acceptable to the sinner.
Thus the narrow gate of salvation begins to open to the seeker as he turns his eyes of faith to Calvary. – Jesus, who shed His blood on the cross for the sinner, saves the soul of the seeker. The condition of sin is removed. Man is freed from the devil and passes into the lordship of Jesus. Acts 26:17,18.
Humility and repentance are part of sound faith. So is the confession and forsaking of sins. ”God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 and Prov. 28:13-14. Those who humbly receive Jesus experience the rebirth of the Holy Spirit. John 3:3.
RIGHT CONVERSION
(2 Cor. 12:21, Matt. 3:8, Acts 2:38. 3:19)
The Bible teaches that repentance (metanoia = change of mind) by trusting in the merit of Jesus’ blood produces healthy faith. ”Believe (trust) in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31. ”If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. ”As many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12. The forgiven sinner’s relationship with Jesus is restored and Eternal Life begins. Rom. 6:22,23. The Holy Spirit begins to lead you toward your heavenly home.
When you now accept these facts about yourself, you can dry the tears of repentance and just enter through the narrow gate. You can make the decision to give your life unconditionally to the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. DO IT NOW. Only you can make the decision. 2 Cor. 6:1,2. Jesus has already done everything he could. He became a substitute sacrifice for you. He has already chosen you. What will you do? Do you accept His choice? No one else can decide the matter.
Through the narrow gate, you are directed to the strait path of the cross along the path indicated in the Bible. “Peter said to them (those seeking the way of salvation): Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38. “Then those who received his word were baptized.” Acts 2:41. So all who received salvation, or came to faith, were baptized. “and they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship…” Acts 2:42. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God with boldness. This is God’s will still.
We cannot and must not proclaim grace and forgiveness to a person before his own conscious choice to abandon his sinful life. But to a person who accepts Jesus, repents and humbles himself to repentance, we can proclaim forgiveness of sins in the Name and blood of Jesus. This means that we can convince him of the fact of Jesus, who has atoned for HIS sins on the cross. We can declare that now this work of redemption has been activated in him personally. The person has come to faith by making a reconciliation with Jesus. Next, we can baptize him by immersion in water in the Name of Jesus Christ. In this way, the old life is buried and a new one takes its place. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold, the new has come!” 2 Cor. 5:17. Gal. 3:26-29.
Receiving Jesus also means accepting all the teachings of the Bible.
In this way we enter the narrow gate onto the narrow path of life. And the next step is baptism. The old man, who lived in sin, is buried in the grave of baptism. From here begins the eternal road that ends in heaven. And the journey is joyfully traveled even in the midst of difficulties. He Himself is with us as our Leader. He wants to baptize each of His own with the Holy Spirit and power. Then we will experience the powers of the coming age, God’s love and goodness again and again. LIFE flows in us. We receive gifts of grace. 1 Cor. 12-14. We will be given a new language to praise God for Jesus’ victory on Calvary. The Holy Spirit is at work! Heaven awaits at the end of this road. Tired from the journey, we will finally see our Glorified Lord Jesus face to face.
Wouldn’t you like to kneel now to receive Jesus as your Lord and experience God’s love over your life? Wouldn’t you like to be a wholehearted, true child of God to the end?
Blessings to you,
Weijo Lindroos
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