JESUS, THE GATE

          JESUS, THE GATE

John 10:9 "Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures."  NLT

      You can't climb over the fence. There is only one way to enter into the Kingdom of God and that is through Jesus. God has made no other provision for our salvation. Our goodness, good lives, families, theology, or church can't save us. Everybody is on equal footing; we need a Savior. We are all sinners and until Jesus takes up residence in our hearts, we are bound for an eternity in hell. There is absolutely nothing we can do to change God's mind about us. We are a stench in His nostrils until Jesus changes us into a sweet aroma before God.

      Jesus is the gate. All who allow Him to enter their heart will find all that they are looking for in life. In Christ we find green pastures for our souls. We find all that we need for healthy living---both for now and for eternity. Any other pasture we may try to graze in will lead to our starvation and death.

       God has great things in store for all who enter through the gate. For many, they come to the gate and think it is not for them. They convince themselves that where they are at is better than what is on the other side of the gate. Some believe that the gate will not open for them because of what they have done. Some come to the gate and start looking around for other ways to get to the green pastures. Some will come to the gate and linger for a while where they are at, thinking there is plenty of time and that the gate will always remain open for them. Some will think it's got to be too good to be true and refuse to come near to the gate to find out. Some will even deny that there is such a gate.

      I am so thankful today that I took God at His word and came to Him through the gate. I can't imagine what life would have been like for me outside the green pastures of His grace. I don't even want to think about it. I find in Him the best life that could possibly be lived. He satisfies my every need and desire. It can't get any better than this!

       And yet, it does.  I not only have life in Christ, I have what He describes as the abundant life.  It is true what the song writer said, “The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.” 

       Thank you, Jesus, for saving my soul and giving to me the abundant life found only in your green pastures.