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P. O. Box 2252, Oak Park, Illinois 60303-2252 info@wordoflifeministries.org 773-544-0058

Entering The Gate

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many other be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it – Matthew 7:13-14.

Christianity is Christ-like; it means one is a follower of Christ. It also means one will follow the instruction of the Bible. When one tries to worship God in any other form than He has instructed through His holy Word, their worship is in vain.

Barnabas was one of the leaders in the early Jerusalem church and was later a missionary to the Gentiles. His name was Joses, but the apostles called him Barnabas, which is an Aramaic name meaning “Son of Prophecy.” He was a Levite from the island of Cyprus. When the Jews in the Jerusalem church heard of the Gentile conversion at Antioch, they chose Barnabas to go to them.

Levites were the descendants of Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah, the assistants of the Aaronic priests in the tabernacle and temple worship.

At the time of the Exodus, God proclaimed His right to all the firstborn Israelites males, but in the wilderness, He determined that the tribe of Levi was to be dedicated to His service in the place of the firstborn.

Priests were the only ones who had access to God for the people. Jesus’ death for the sins of the world brought about priesthood for those who accepted His salvation and became the sons of God; all believers have become priests (But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light – 1st Peter 2:9).

Priests are to be separated from the world and live a godly life. Some have mistaken that only the pastor, prophet, evangelist, apostle, and teachers are to live a godly life. Godliness is for all those who profess to be Christians.

Christians have been instructed to separate themselves from the world (Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty – 2nd Corinthians 6:17). We have to serve God on His terms and not ours; attending church without living a godly lifestyle has confused the non-believer and have placed a reputation on the church that Christians are just a bunch of hypocrites.

Carnality has brought a defame against Christians; how can one minister to non-believers when they are drinking with them, smoking with them, attending secular entertainment with them, and committing fornication with them?

Ninety percent of those professing to be Christians don’t read their Bibles until they attend church. Many don’t know the Scriptures but can quote lyrics from any secular song. They can’t tell you anything about the forerunners in the Bible, but they can tell you about secular entertainers. This is a sad state to be in as a Christian.

These are lukewarm Christians, and Jesus has said He would spew them from out of His mouth (So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth – Revelation 3:16). The works of the Laodicean church were as worthless as the city’s lukewarm water causing them to be ejected from the presence of God.

Just like the Laodicean church, if professing Christians live lukewarm lives, they to will be spewed out of Jesus’ mouth, meaning they will no longer have access to His presence, which can also cause them to be placed in the lake of fire.

When Christians live carnal and lukewarm lives, they have no relationship with the Father, nor can they hear or feel His presence. Many think that because they attend a church that gives them the right to enter heaven’s gate. Having one’s name on the church register does not qualify one as a citizen of heaven.

God has given instructions from the Bible, but if one does not read the Bible, they can’t follow the instruction of the Bible, which will not cause them to be exempt from the punishment of God. God used godly men to write Scriptures; they wrote as God gave them instructions on what to write (All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works – 2nd Timothy 3:16-17).

There will be no excuse why you didn’t read the Bible or why you didn’t follow the instructions of the Bible. Every Christian is responsible for learning what is required of them as Christians. Did you know we are rewarded for our good or bad lifestyles? Blessings for living a righteous life, and God’s wrath for living an ungodly life.

There is an appointed time for us to die. The preacher can’t preach you into heaven at your homegoing; if your lifestyle doesn’t line up with God’s Word, there will be no entering into heaven’s gate. Sure, some receive salvation on death, but why take a chance?

Living a carnal lifestyle is like playing spiritual Russian Roulette; death or Jesus could come anytime. Will you be prepared to meet death or Jesus? Many think because they do good deeds, feeding the poor and serving in the church will make them citizens of heaven. If one has not truly accepted salvation, one will not enter heaven.

Take the time to read and study the Bible; we plan to do whatever we want, but when it comes to reading and studying the Bible, many will give an excuse. Not only does one needs to read the Bible, but the application must be applied to one’s life.

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