What path are you on in your life?
I have a long time Christian friend named Steve who lives near me. Steve is always willing to share the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ with anyone he meets. He is a very good family man and spends time with his children and grandchildren. Steve is a very good example to others in sharing his love for Jesus Christ. Steve's path through this life has been one he has worked very hard at. Steve is very talented and has worked on many things in the electronics world. He is primarily an electrician by trade. I have seen his work, and he is very meticulous about the job he does. When I think about his job as an electrician, I am reminded that electricity will take the path of least resistance it can locate, just as water and light do in their respected state.
We as human beings are just like that. We find it very easy to go on the path that everyone is on in life. But as a Christian, it is not an easy path. Let’s let the Bible speak: Jesus said: 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 there at, 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.
We would like to take the easy path through life, with no confrontations, decisions or divisions and no problems. The Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John do not paint a picture of Jesus taking the easy path or showing us to take an easy path either. You will find many times; it is NOT easy being a Christian and turning away from the things of this world. The narrow way is a path that one discovers through belief in Jesus and reading the Holy Bible, Praying and having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Going to church makes you no more a Christian, than standing in your garage makes you a car.
Do you think because you go to church you will go to Heaven when God calls your name? Let’s let the Bible Speak: The Apostle Paul writes: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So, then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Romans 10:13-18.
When you go to Church, do you take your Bible, are you active in Church? Have you ever stood and gave your testimony? Are you a witness for Jesus Christ? Are you afraid of what people may think of you? Let’s let the Bible speak one last time: 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 to the Greek.For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Romans 1:16-18.
Are you saved? Have you taken these simple steps to salvation? HEAR, we must hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17, KJV). BELIEVE, one must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus said: except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins (John 8:24). REPENT, Third, one must repent of his sins to be saved God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent, because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained. (Acts 17:30 KJV). CONFESS, one must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). If not, why not do so today? Be Baptized, We follow the example of being baptized as Jesus Christ was. Paul would remind us in Romans 6:3,4.
Jeff Eschbaugh is the Pastor at the Bethel Church Barnesville Wednesday night at 7 p.m., Mt. Zion Church Quaker City Sunday morning at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., Salem Baptist Church in Salesville Sunday evening at 5 p.m., and he is Chaplain of the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office.