Amir Tsarfati: Middle East Update, December 9, 2019

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Here is a description of the way of salvation. Jesus calls it “the narrow gate.”

There is a gate which leads to pardon, peace with God, and Heaven. Whoever goes in by that gate, shall be saved. Never, surely, was a gate more needed. Sin is a vast mountain between man and God. How shall a man climb over it? Sin is a high wall between man and God. How shall man get through it? Sin is a deep gulf between man and God. How shall man cross over it? God is in Heaven — holy, pure, spiritual, undefiled, light without any darkness at all — a Being who cannot bear that which is evil, or look upon iniquity. Man is a poor fallen worm, crawling on earth for a few years — sinful, corrupt, erring, defective — a being whose imagination is only evil, and whose heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.How shall man and God be brought together? How shall man ever draw near to his Maker without fear and shame? Blessed be God, there is a way! There is a road. There is a path. There is a door. It is the gate spoken of in the words of Christ, “the narrow gate.”

This gate was made for sinners by the Lord Jesus Christ. From all eternity He covenanted and engaged that He would make it. In the fullness of time He came into the world and made it, by His own atoning death on the cross. By that death He made satisfaction for man’s sin, paid man’s debt to God, and bore man’s punishment. He built a great gate at the cost of His own body and blood. He reared a ladder on earth whose top reached to Heaven. He made a door by which the chief of sinners may enter into the holy presence of God, and not be afraid. He opened a road by which the vilest of men, believing in Him, may draw near to God and have peace. He cries to us, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” (John 10:9.) “I am the way: no man comes unto the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6.) “By Him,” says Paul, “we have boldness and access with confidence.” (Ephesians 3:12.) Thus was the gate of salvation formed.

This gate is called the narrow gate, and it is not called so without cause. It is always narrow, and difficult to pass through to some people, and it will be so as long as the world stands. It is narrow to all who love sin — and are determined not to part with it. It is narrow to all who set their affection on this world — and seek first its pleasures and rewards. It is narrow to all who dislike trouble — and are unwilling to take pains and make sacrifices for their souls. It is narrow to all who like company — and want to keep in with the crowd. It is narrow to all who are self-righteous — and think they are good people, and deserve to be saved. To all such, the great gate which Christ made, is narrow and strait. In vain they seek to pass through. The gate will not admit them. God is not unwilling to receive them; their sins are not too many to be forgiven: but they are not willing to be saved in God’s way.

Thousands, for the last eighteen centuries, have tried to make the gate wider! Thousands have worked and toiled to get to Heaven on lower terms. But the gate never alters. It is not elastic — it will not stretch to accommodate one man more than another. It is still the narrow gate.

As narrow as this gate is, it is the only one by which men can get to Heaven. There is no side door; there is no bye-path; there is no gap or low-place in the wall. All who are ever saved — will he saved only by Christ, and only by simple faith in Him. Not one will be saved by repentance. Today’s sorrow, does not wipe off yesterday’s sin. Not one will be saved by his own works. The best works that any man can do — are little better than splendid sins. Not one will be saved by his formal regularity in the use of the outward means of grace. When we have done all — we are poor “unprofitable servants.” Oh, no! it is mere waste of time to seek any other road to eternal life.

Men may look right and left, and weary themselves with their own devices — but they will never find another door. Proud men may dislike the gate if they will. Profligate men may scoff at it, and make a jest of those who use it. Lazy men may complain that the way is hard. But men will discover no other salvation than that of faith in the blood and righteousness of a crucified Redeemer. There stands between us and Heaven, one great gate: it may be narrow; but it is the only one. We must either enter Heaven by the narrow gate — or not at all.

As narrow as this gate is, it is a gate ever ready to open. No sinners of any kind are forbidden to draw near: whoever will, may enter in and be saved. There is but one condition of admission: that condition is that you really feel your sins and desire to be saved by Christ in His own way. Are you really sensible of your guilt and vileness? Have you a truly broken and contrite heart? Behold the gate of salvation — and come in! He who made it declares, “Him that comes unto Me, I will never cast out.” (John 6:37.)

The question to be considered is not whether you are a great sinner or a little sinner — whether you are elect or not — whether you are converted or not. The question is simply this, “Do you feel your sins? Do you feel laboring and heavy-laden? Are you willing to put your soul into Christ’s hand?” Then if that is the case, the gate will open to you at once. Come in this very day. “Why do you stand outside?” (Genesis 24:31.)

As narrow as this gate is, it is one through which thousands have gone in and been saved.No sinner was ever turned back, and told he was too bad to be admitted, if he came really sick of his sins. Thousands of all sorts have been received, cleansed, washed, pardoned, clothed, and made heirs of eternal life. Some of them seemed very unlikely to be admitted: you and I might have thought that they were too bad to be saved. But He who built the gate did not refuse them. As soon as they knocked — He gave orders that they should be let in.

Manasseh, the wicked King of Judah, went up to this gate. None could have been worse than he. He had despised his good father Hezekiah’s example and advice. He had bowed down to idols. He had filled Jerusalem with bloodshed and cruelty. He had slain his own children. But as soon as his eyes were opened to his sins, and he fled to the gate for pardon — the gate flew wide open, and he was saved.

Saul the Pharisee went up to this gate. He had been a great offender. He had been a blasphemer of Christ, and a persecutor of Christ’s people. He had labored hard to stop the progress of the Gospel. But as soon as his heart was touched, and he found out his own guilt and fled to the gate for pardon — at once the gate flew wide open, and he was saved.

Many of the Jews who crucified our Lord went up to this gate. They had been grievous sinners indeed. They had refused and rejected their own Messiah. They had delivered Him to Pilate, and entreated that He might be slain. They had desired Barabbas to be released, and the Son of God to be crucified. But in the day when they were pricked to the heart by Peter’s preaching — they fled to the gate for pardon, and at once the gate flew open, and they were saved.

The jailer at Philippi went up to this gate. He had been a cruel, hard, godless man. He had done all in his power to ill-treat Paul and his companion. He had thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But when his conscience was aroused by the earthquake, and his mind enlightened by Paul’s teaching — he fled to the gate for pardon, and at once the gate flew open, and he was saved.

But why need I stop short in Bible examples? Multitudes have gone to “the narrow gate “since the days of the Apostles, and have entered in by it and been saved! Thousands of all ranks, classes, and ages — learned and unlearned, rich and poor, old and young — have tried the gate and found it ready to open — have gone through it and found peace to their souls. Yes, thousands of people yet living have made proof of the gate, and found it the way to real happiness. Noble-men and commoners, merchants and bankers, soldiers and sailors, farmers and tradesmen, laborers and workmen, are still upon earth, who have found the narrow gate to be “a way of pleasantness and a path of peace.” They have found Christ’s yoke to be easy, and His burden to be light. Their only regret has been that so few enter in, and that they themselves did not enter in before.

This is the gate which I want every one to enter, into whose hand this paper may fall. I want you not merely to go to church or chapel — but to go with heart and soul to the gate of life. I want you not merely to believe there is such a gate, and to think it a good thing — but to enter by faith and be saved.

Think what a privilege it is to have a gate at all. The angels, who kept not their first estate fell, never to rise again. To them there was no door of escape opened. The heathen never heard of any way to eternal life. What would not many a black man and many a red man give, if he only heard one plain sermon about Christ? The Jews in Old Testament times only saw the gate dimly and far away. “The way into the holiest was not made manifest, while the first tabernacle was standing.” (Hebrews 9:8.)

But you have the gate set plainly before you — you have Christ and full salvation offered to you, without money and without price. You never need be at a loss which way to turn. Oh, consider what a mercy this is! Beware that you do not despise the gate and perish in unbelief! Better a thousand times not to know of the gate — than to know of it and yet tarry outside! How indeed will you escape — if you neglect so great salvation?

Think what a thankful man you ought to be if you have really gone in at the narrow gate. To be a pardoned, forgiven, justified soul — to be ready for sickness, death, judgment and eternity — to be ever provided for in both worlds — surely this is matter for daily praise. True Christians ought to be more full of thanksgivings than they are. I fear that few sufficiently remember what they were by nature, and what debtors to grace they are. Singing hymns of praise, was one special mark of the early Christians. Well would it be for Christians in the present day, if they knew more of this frame of mind. It is no mark of a healthy state of soul, when there is much complaining and little praise. It is an amazing mercy that there is any gate of salvation at all; but it is a still greater mercy when we are taught to enter in by it and be saved.

J.C. Ryle

https://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/self-exertion.htm

https://prayandbeready.wordpress.com/

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GUEST POST: NO SIN IS TOO BIG FOR GOD TO FORGIVE!

December 6, 2019The Godly Chic Diaries

We are so blessed to have such a loving Father who forgives our Sins. 1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, He is Faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Psalm 103:10-14 says: “He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sins, for His mercy towards those who fear and honor Him is as great as the height of heavens above the earth.”

My Feautured Guest Blogger is: David Friend

Bio: David Friend “I’m a graphic designer who lives in Houston, Texas. I enjoy leveraging his knowledge for God’s kingdom and desires to help people have a biblical worldview. I think that the Bible is the standard of truth against which all beliefs, thoughts, actions, opinions and motives should be tested and compared. My passion is to see people live purposeful lives for Christ, not wasting their lives pursuing things that have no lasting or real value. My graphic designs and writings are hopefully all contributing to this goal. Though not started yet, I am hoping to start a web-based ministry that others can connect with so they can learn more about God’s Word and of the gospel of Christ.” His blog is http://www.graceandtruthministry.blog

David shares: The Bible speaks of how God “justifies the ungodly” (Romans 4:5), and the “righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (3:22). God is the “justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (3:26). A person is “justified by faith apart from works of the law” (3:28).

The righteousness that Christ had by living a perfect, sinless life is placed on our account when we put our faith in Him. God regards us as having a perfect and righteous account, even though we are in fact sinners. This is why the Bible says that God“justifies the ungodly” (Romans 4:5).

We know that while we have a perfect position before God, we do not have perfect obedience. Our accounts are perfect, but our lives are still full of sin and flawed. Justification means that we are declared righteous, not that we are righteous.

Understanding what Justification Means for Your Failure : The weight of sin is heavy, and there are times when it’s absolutely appropriate to feel it, such as inrepentance. But there’s no need for anyone who’s been forgiven and justified to feel as though they are beyond hope. Every Christian knows their sins are forgiven when they put their faith in Christ, but they may not understand that all of their sins, past, present and future, are forgiven and dealt with. Jesus paid for all of the sins of humanity for all time (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 2:2).

Once we are justified and we sin, our perfect position does not change. This is because we have the righteousness of Christ. Our spotless perfection that comes from being in Christ remains. Christ makes us “holy and blameless and above reproach” (Colossians 1:22). Sin can distance us from God and we will need to repent (Matthew 6:12, 14-15; 1 John 1:8-10, 2:1), but there’s nothing we can do to lose our perfect status.This is because of Christ, not anything we have done. Sin may bring God’s loving discipline as a Father, but it will never bring condemnation. His justice and wrath has already been satisfied by the cross of Christ.

What we need to do when we sin: (1) Remember that we are justified and what this means, and (2) Repent. There is no genuine relationship with Christ without repentance. Justification and grace should never be used as excuses to sin.

Thank you Fred for this beautiful and thought provoking post. 1 John 1:8 says: “If we say that we have No sin we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” It may for a moment of triumph, as it did in David, and in Peter, and in a host of other eminently holy men, yet still the promise is verified – as we see in the restorings of the blessed spirit, in their spirit and conduct, in their humblings and confessions, and their holy and upright walk with God in the after years – “Sin shall not have dominion over you.” Amen! God bless.💕

Blessings and Love.😊 🙏 ❤

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Vladimir Pustan: Moş Nicolae, sfântul buzelor umflate

ON DECEMBER 6, 2019 BY GEORGEIN CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

N-am ştiut nimic despre el înainte de revoluţie. Probabil din cauză că avea acelaşi prenume cu „împuşcatul”, iar apelativul de „moş” nu convenea bâlbâitului din Scorniceşti.

Nici tata nu s-a căznit să-mi facă lipeala cu el. Tata n-avea timp de fleacuri.

De aceea n-am înţeles de ce într-o seară, venind de la o evanghelizare, m-am împiedicat în prag de bocancii copiilor şi nu mi-am pus nici o întrebare de ce i-au lăsat afară. Dimineaţa copiii s-au trezit înaintea mea. Nu şi-au mai găsit nici măcar pantofii, pentru că bernardul nostru, Barry, îi cărase în cuşcă. Au venit la mine cu buza umflată şi cu ochii-n soarele de iarnă.

Am vrut să fiu fariseu şi să le explic faptul că noi suntem împotriva tradiţiilor, să fie atenţi că diavolul nu doarme şi el foloseşte ba o zi, ba alta, ba un sfânt, ba un Valentine’s Day. N-am avut cui ţine o predică motivatoare pentru că plecaseră să-şi recupereze bocancii.

Adevărul e că Moş Nicolae ar trebui să fie sfântul naţional al românilor. El are de-a face cu noi mai mult decât Sfântul Andrei care ne-a adus credinţa, decât Sfântul Ştefan cel Mare, cel „ degrab vărsătoriu de sânge nevinovat ” şi alţii.

Sunt vreo douăzeci şi trei de milioane de români lăsaţi zilnic cu buza umflată. De parlamentari, poştaşi, patroni, copii, părinţi, soţ, soţie, profesori, medici…

Viaţa acestor amărâţi risipiţi prin România, Spania, America, Aiurea şi Canada e un bocanc gol, lustruit, scos pe pragul destinului, aşteptând în noaptea lungă UMPLEREA.

Moş Nicolae e tot ce nu e Dumnezeu şi-n care noi ne punem încrederea. E goana după vânt, e agăţarea disperată de orice ni se pare un reazem, o ancoră.

E aşteptarea cu mâinile-n sân să ni se întâmple ceva ce să ne schimbe viaţa.

De fapt refuzul de a te încrede în Dumnezeu are ca alternativă buzele umflate.

sursa

foto: Stefan Luchian  “Mos Nicolae cobzarul”

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Prayer for worry and stress

/PRAYER FOR ANXIETY

Feeling stressed out? You probably need a break from your hectic life or maybe you are facing a big challenge or crisis.

There are two ways in which stress and worry go away: when circumstances change or when you change.

Even if it’s hard, even if you feel like you don’t have the time or energy, seek God. Put him at the top of your priorities. Don’t wait anymore. The Lord is waiting to help and heal you, but it won’t happen unless you open your heart to him.

So place all your worries and your fear at the feet of Christ. Be real about it. Sincere. Let it go and give it up to him. Then let his Spirit rush in to transform you and bring you true peace.

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Audio message and prayer from Vincent:Audio Player00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.

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O God, thou art my God, I seek thee,
my soul thirsts for thee;
my flesh faints for thee,
as in a dry and weary land where no water is.
So I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary,
beholding thy power and glory.
Because thy steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise thee.
So I will bless thee as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands and call on thy name.

Psalm 63:1-4

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

PRAYER FOR WORRY AND STRESS

O heavenly Lord,

I can’t deny it, worry consumes me and stress brings me down.

So I go to you, O Lord, for in the chaos of this world you are my only hope.

Let my heart know that in an instant of faith and trust in you all my fear can be shattered, and I break free.

For my soul knows, as it has always known, it can trust and rest in you.

For that reason, my soul seeks its Savior.

Christ alone saves my soul. My deepest need now met brings me a calm heart, a humble heart, as the love of God quiets the raging waters of my soul.

By your loving grace make it so. Set me free in Christ.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

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