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17 ธันวาคม Which Way"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. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:13-23) Here we see that there is but one way to be saved. How important is it then to be sure of that way? Jesus himself says "few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:14). On the other hand there are many who find the way of destruction. This path is broad and the gate yaws wide. There at the entrance of the gate stands those who speak whatever the listener wishes to hear. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (II Timothy 4:3, 4) The religions of the world have their own attractions, for Vanity Fair indeed is large, and her merchants varied. Those who are of particular danger, however, are the ravening wolves in sheep's clothing. These are they who come into the church and make a show of godliness but deny the power thereof (II Timothy 3:1-5). They promulgate the insidious doctrines of easy-believism, the "sinner's prayer," the altar call, and other perfidious and unscriptural dogma. They desire a departure from the narrow way, for they find it too strait for their liking, and they desire to take as many with them as will heed their call to turn aside. The elect are not deceived by their wolfish calls and howls, but if it were possible, even they would turn aside (Matthew 24:24). "Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left." (Deuteronomy 5:32) "Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." (Psalm 40:4) What is that strait way then? "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). What is the narrow gate then? "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep" (John 10:7). Jesus is the narrow gate and the strait way that leadeth unto life! How do I enter in? The Philippian jailer asked that question. "...Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:30, 31). How does one believe though? What sort of belief is effective for salvation? After all, we know that "...The devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:9). According to Romans the word necessary for belief is already in the heart of the believer (Romans 10:8). How did it get there? Through the hearing of the preaching of the gospel (Romans 10:14, 15). The gospel proceeded from God (Romans 1:16; I Peter 1:25) and is given unto the elect (I Thessalonians 1:2-5) so that they may come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4). The word and the gospel then are of God. Ephesians 2 tells us that before salvation we were dead in our trespasses and sins. Romans 3 tells us that there are none righteous, none that do good and that all have sinned. We know from Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death. In Genesis 3 we find that it is God who sought the sinner in the garden, God who made the covenant with Adam and Eve, God who covered them with coats of skin. Man, according to Romans 3 does not seek after God. Ephesians 2:8, 9 tells us that the faith, that is the belief, through which saving grace works is not of ourselves. It is no work of man this belief. It is the gift of God. "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." (Titus 3:3-8) Finding the narrow gate and the strait way then, is entirely through the grace and mercy of God. The faith necessary to believe on his name is a gift of God. The word that is within us because of the preaching of the gospel is of Him. Naught can we do except by his good pleasure (Philippians 2:12, 13; II Thessalonians 1:11, 12). The wolves are to be avoided, for though they cannot lead the elect off the narrow path yet much damage may be done by their malicious intent. "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" Acts 20:29, 30) ข้อคิดเห็นในการเพิ่มข้อคิดเห็น ให้ลงชื่อเข้าใช้ด้วย Windows Live ID ของคุณ (หากคุณใช้ Hotmail, Messenger หรือ Xbox LIVE คุณมี Windows Live ID อยู่แล้ว) ลงชื่อเข้าใช้ หากยังไม่มี Windows Live ID ลงทะเบียน การติดตามข้อมูลURL การติดตามข้อมูลสำหรับข้อมูลนี้คือ: http://mustardgrains.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!A5A15DA7E8EE5D88!128.trak เว็บล็อกที่อ้างอิงข้อมูลนี้
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