Matthew 7:13-20 Sometimes the door we enter takes us to someplace we really don't want to be. Several years ago, I was standing near the door at a truck-stop restaurant. A man rushed down the hall way and without looking he entered what he thought was the men's restroom. A moment later he walked sheepishly out of the lady's room. You may say, "I've never done that." How many times do we rush into areas without a question as to what the possible consequences are of our choice? Jesus said that there was only one proper gate or door to go through. He said it was narrow, that not many people find it. Not everyone who finds it is willing to use it. Jesus is here talking about a door that leads to life, more specifically, eternal life. The Gospel of John chapter 10 tells us that Jesus is the door, the only door and any other entrance that is attempted is a like a thief or robber breaking and entering. The door is a person, a particular person - Jesus. "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture." John 10:9 What does all this mean? Saying the right words about Jesus and entering in the door (gate) is not necessarily the same thing. Doors and gates enter into buildings or fenced or walled in areas. If the things that you are occupied with are not within the wall or the fence; ask yourself. "Which door did I really enter?" Jesus said it another way, "by their fruits you will know them." If Jesus is the door through which we entered, then his character will be reflected in our lives. We will certainly not be perfect, but there will be a family resemblance.

We Can't Make Your Own Rules