“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: 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
THE ROAD TO SALVATION IS NOT CROWDED
As Matthew 7:13-14 make clear, “the way which leadeth to life” is not a crowded path.
FEW there be that find that path.
Meanwhile, “the way that leadeth to destruction ” is broad and MANY are on that sad, broad way–including a great many which believe they are on the narrow path (because of their heritage, their church, their background, whatever).
So, when a man becomes a believer, he embarks upon a path with few others alongside him.
That narrow path will bring the HATRED of his fellow man–and at least some of those men will be from the believer’s own family.
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.”
–Luke 21:17
“And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”
–Matthew 10:36
That narrow way is sure to bring the believer PERSECUTION.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
–2TIMOTHY 3:12
That narrow path is also sure to include MUCH TRIBULATION.
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
–Acts 14:22
So, the believer walks a path filled with hatred, persecution and much tribulation. Surely there HAS to be an upside somewhere.
There is.
The believer has resources he may use which are unavailable to all those who journey on the broad way to destruction.
What are a few of those resources?
Here are five. There are more than five, but these five are important, with several being fairly well-known–even among the heathen.
1- God watches out for the believer.
“If God be for us, who can be against us?”
–Romans 8:31
ALL that takes place on earth is under the control of God. This does not mean that the believer’s life will be without frustration or challenges. BUT, the believer is encouraged by knowing that the most powerful being in the universe has shown him mercy and has taken a positive interest in his comings and goings.
The believer KNOWS this to be true by many infallible proofs.
How many bad events DO NOT HAPPEN because of God’s attention to the believer?
No mortal knows.
How many good events DO HAPPEN because of that same godly focus?
Again, no mortal can know.
2- In times of trouble, the believer is able to call out to the LORD and know that the LORD hears him.
In fact, the believer is TOLD to call out to the LORD while he is near.
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near”
–Isaiah 55:6The effectiveness of crying out to the LORD is something which is repeated several times in the Bible–particularly in Psalms.
“This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”
–Psalm 34:6“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.”
–Psalm 61:1-3“As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.”
–Psalm 55:16“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.”
–Psalm 116:17Lastly, we’re assured that ALL who cry out to the LORD will be saved.
“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
–Romans 10:12-13It should be noted that 1- Romans is referring to all who call SINCERELY upon the name of the LORD; and, 2- “saved” can mean in this life (from physical danger) BUT it also refers to eternal life; i.e., saved from an eternity of torment.
—Cry Out to the LORD
3- The believer may petition God, knowing that the LORD will hear–and GRANT–all of his prayers which are prayed according to the will of God.
This is perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT resource a believer may access.
In the realm of spiritual warfare, few things match the power of the prayers of the believer.
“Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”
–John 9:31Because a believer has the power of the Holy Spirit, his prayers are a conduit of dunamis (explosive, miraculous) power.
ONLY believers, THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT, have access to this mighty, miraculous power. With the Holy Spirit, believers may confidently engage in spiritual warfare.
—SPIRITUAL WARFARE: The Explosive Power of the Believer’s Prayers
MORE
- Prayer, Purity are for Believers
- The Power of Prayer?
- PRAYER: A Few Thoughts on Prayer and Praying
- UNANSWERED PRAYERS: The Ultimate Answer to Unanswered Prayers
- PRAYER: Talk to the Father
- EFFECTIVE PRAYER: Importune God
- PRAY ALWAYS: End Times Preparation
- SPIRITUAL WARFARE: The Explosive Power of the Believer’s Prayers
- Answered Prayers: Pray According to the Will of the Father
4- The Holy Spirit assists the believer in his prayers to God.
This is VERY IMPORTANT.
IF the believer prays according to the will of God, God will grant ANYTHING THE BELIEVER ASKS.
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
–1JOHN 5:14-15So, it is extremely important for the believer to pray ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.
The Holy Spirit ensures that the believer prays ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
–Romans 8:26-27
—Four Important Changes the Holy Spirit of God Makes in the Believer
Therefore, because the believer has the Holy Spirit’s assistance, he prays with the will of God–which means that his prayers are answered.
5- The believer may pray for the lost, knowing that God will hear his prayer and grant him his petition. No mortal knows when that petition will be granted, but God will ensure that the maximum good comes from it–including that which may well benefit the believer.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
–Romans 8:28
MORE: What Can a Believer Do For a Lost Loved One?
As earlier stated, there are other resources a believer may access.
But the believer should be encouraged: as much hatred, persecution and tribulation that Satan and the world has in store for the believer, God has so much more–and is infinitely more powerful and loving.
DOES the reader have his prayers answered?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: June 10, 2019.]
MORE: Four Important Changes the Holy Spirit of God Makes in the Believer
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by Jeremiah James
–with Mondo Frazier
image: Photo by Tom Swinnen from Pexels.com
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-19. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP, 2007-2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s authors and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson, Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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Filed under: Biblical Teachings, END TIMES PREPARATION, Eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, Good News/Gospel, resources for the lonely path the believer walks