Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

To Hell and Back is not a religious book, even though it is about life after death. Dr. Rawlings (the author) is not a theologian or a pastor, but a cardiologist. Dr. Rawlings writes of the experiences of his own patients brought back to life. Here is one of the many excerpts from his book.

“Yet another story follows: "I (Dr. Rawlings) was giving CPR to a patient when the following incident occurred. I inserted a pacemaker through the shoulder and guided it through the vain into Charlie's heart. His heart stopped so I began to pound on the his heart, but as I did blood spurted out, I stopped to adjust the pacemaker. And as I did, Charlie's eyes would roll back in his head, he would sputter, turn blue, and convulse. This happened several times. Once while I was stopped to adjust the pacemaker Charlie screamed, 'Don't stop, don't stop, I'm in Hell, I'm in Hell.' Hallucinations, I thought at first, but most victims say, 'Take your big hands off me, your breaking my ribs,' but he was saying the opposite 'For Gods sake don't stop! Don't you understand, every time you stop I'm in Hell. When he asked me to pray for him I felt downright insulted. I told him to shut up, I'm a doctor, not a minister or a psychiatrist. Then the nurse gave me that expectant look. What would you do? That's when I composed a make believe prayer. I made him repeat the prayer to keep him off my back. Say it! Jesus Christ son of God, Keep me out of Hell. And a very strange thing took place. He was no longer that wild-eyed screaming lunatic. It was then that I too (Dr. Rawlings) became a Christian." (pg 37).”

Quotes from Matthew  7: 13-23

The Narrow and Wide Gates  (v13)


    "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

A Tree and Its Fruit  (v15-23)

    "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 

    "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Sadly, there are many non-believers and even church goers that proclaim their knowledge of Christ but do not follow after his teachings.  The bible only mentions the word, “Christian” three times within the bible, but over 200 times it is commanded by Jesus to “go and make Disciples”.  There is a big difference to what Jesus is asking.  The later calling to be a Disciple requires action, dedication, and a commitment to follow after his teachings.  It puts action to the Word of God. The bible talks about a transformation in one life by the Holy Spirit when conviction results in repentance, which results in submission to saving power of Christ through His Grace.

Do not be fooled !  Professing one’s Christianity while living a life of sin is not a true conversion at all.  The Churches within America are full of such individuals to include their leaders. They are the ones that the Bible speaks of being the tares sown amoungst the wheat.  There are many false conversions and therefore as Matthew states, in the end-times, MANY will be on the wide path that leads to destruction.

“Come on Pete, I know Jesus is the Son of God.   I believe in him, so what’s the beef?”

To the unknowing, Satan also knows that Jesus is the Son of God, believes in him, and knows the Bible better than most do.  My question to you is simple, which Satan can never proclaim:  Is Jesus your rock of salvation?  Is he your shield?  Are you following after him when he commands, “pick up your cross and follow after me”?  Or are you living your life as you did before you knew of Jesus?

The key is in the transformation of your life.  Are you producing good fruit (in obedience to Gods Word) as evidence of your conversion?

IF YOU DIED TODAY? 
 
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