Lord, It’s Me! Remember?

Jesus said,

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!’
- Matthew 7:21-23

My heart is heavy today considering this verse, and pondering it in context of our present day. I’m saddened by the reality of so many churches, so many denominations, and so many souls who claim Christ as their savior, and proclaim, “Lord, Lord …” only to find in their amazement Jesus responding to them, “I never knew you – depart from me”!

“This certainly isn’t about me! It’s about non-believers, you know, ’evildoers’ … not me!”

You mean, Atheists? Agnostics? “Ignorant”, “bad”, or “lost” people? The ones who never go to church or do religious things? Really? Are they the ones who go around saying ”Lord, Lord”?

No, it’s not them.

It’s Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, Lutherans, Baptists, Episcopals, Presbyterians, and every other faction of faith.

They’re the ones found exclaiming “Lord, Lord …”

They’re the ones prophesying, driving out demons, performing miracles …

These are the ones who sincerely claim Christ as their savior and are busy serving …

They’re the religious and faithful ones …

To them Christ Jesus is saying on that day of accounting;

“I [Jesus] never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

God’s word is telling us those that do enter the kingdom of heaven are not the “religious”, not the “devout” or “faithful”, not the ones who title themselves ”Christian”, not the “prophets”, and not the “miracle workers”.

Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, Lutherans, Baptists, Episcopals, Presbyterians, and the countless others are not those who enter the kingdom of heaven …

Christians enter the Kingdom of Heaven

It’s not the Pentecostals, Methodists, Assembly’s of God, Seventh Day Adventists, Calvinists, Unitarians, and the countless others who are “saved” …

Christians are saved

This verse shows us that it’s not about titles or sects, it’s not about acts, and it’s not about words and claims.

Likewise, being a “Christian” is not a title or claim. You cannot call yourself a Christian, you have to be one – you’re either intrinsically one or you’re not, in the same way you are either intrinsically human, or you’re not. There’s no middle ground, and there’s no title that can alter otherwise.

Titles and claims are add-ons, as in, “I’m a Managing Director”, or “I’m an Electrician”, or “I’m a Violinist”. They’re placed on top of who you really are.

Being a Christian IS who you really are; and it’s they who enter life, and are “known” by the Savior.

It’s Christ-ians who will enter the kingdom of heaven;

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’“ (John 14:6).

“I [Jesus] am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9)

It’s a Christian who “does the will of my Father who is in heaven”;

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:3-4)

And Christ-ians are the ones known by their Christ, the Lord Jesus;

“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” (John 10:14)

Being a Christian, one of His flock, His own, as opposed to calling yourself one, requires a change that you cannot make of yourself; it requires a conversion, a regeneration, a transformation, a new life – a new birth. This is because your present life is void of God’s spirit as a result of sin and is therefore separated, and hopelessly unable to attain to Him;

“There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10)

“… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2)

These are the “evildoers” – those who won’t come to repentance, who depend on themselves, insist on their own way, and ultimately reject God’s truth. This is all likened to being evil.

However, being re-born is about newness of life, not about your present, old life. It’s about being born all-over-again to a true life in Christ, who being God, cannot ”fall short”. By this new life we are now enabled to be a Christian, possessing a life that’s rooted in Christ. And though we’re not yet perfected and will continue to falter while on this earth, we are now justified in Christ with a new heart and new mind founded in Him. That is, we are sinners now saved by grace.

And how does this come about?;

“… he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5-7)

God’s word makes it clear we cannot save ourselves – we competely fall short. Only He can accomplish this, and by His mercy and love Christ Jesus went to the cross to pay our sin debt that we can’t pay. If we could pay and were able to live completely righteously on our own, ”earning” our salvation, then why would Christ have any need to go to the cross?

“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:21)

It’s only when we come to God by faith and realize our true desparity and repent of our sins, that we’re then able to leave our dead life and enter into His newness of life, in Christ. This is not a result of our doing, it is by His gift of grace;

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Are you His own? Are you a Christian, or just called one?

Do you trust your salvation completely on Christ’s death and ressurection, or on your own deeds, as if to earn it?

Are you “saved” because your “good” works outweigh your “bad” works? Are you saved because you’re a “good” person? Or, you’re saved because Jesus fully paid for your sins on Calvary’s cross, without which you’d be lost?

Do you find yourself mindful of Christ? Do you hunger and thirst for His word? Do you want to talk about Him, pray to and talk with Him, and eager to share His gospel with others?

Do you find that you accept by faith everything God says in His word? Does any of it offend you? If you’re truely a Christian, how can anything your Lord tells you be an offense? How can any of it make you balk?

Do you have an “al a cart” faith; only choosing parts of His gospel that you feel “ok” with or that you like, but rejecting the rest? If you’re truely saved, how can that possibly be?

He who “does the will of my Father”, and who “enter the kingdom of heaven” are the ones who are “known”.

And what is the will of the Father? That you repent, receive the gospel, and obtain newness of life in Christ;

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)

Are you a Catholic, or a Protestant, an Evangelical, a Lutheran, Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, Calvinist, Unitarian, or hold any other such caption? 

Are you one who calls out “Lord, Lord …”?

So be it.

But Jesus declares you must also be a Christian

God bless you
Marc

In Due Time …

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you
- 1 Peter 5:6-7

I’m casting my care upon the Lord today and making my requests known before Him (Philippians 4:6-7) regarding my heart’s aspiration to move beyond this job into a rightful vocation. “Rightful”, not in that I think it’s right or I just “want it”, but considering my God-given design, it would be right, as He defines. I’m longing to move outside of the ball-and-chain to my office desk and “be”, and “do”!

I so often feel like the butterfly in a jar, unable to move out. It just wants to do according to its given design and fly, and be in its natural environment, its niche, its context; living and doing as a butterfly would!

But this verse blesses me today because it reminds me to not only “dump” my heart upon Him, but to joyfully and patiently wait. Why? Because He cares for me and has my best interests in mind. As the perfect Father, He knows what’s best for me and He sees the beginning and end of it all. I couldn’t be in better hands!

It’s also telling me that in His due time, He will exalt me.

I’m reminded how we often are looking for that open door, “I’m just waiting on God to open that door …”. Well, I’m learning that God may choose to move that way, but it’s not by default. Scripture is not overtly teaching us that ”in due time” has anything to do with doors. A door is designed to obstruct an open passageway and is usually found doing just that.

We should expect doors to be closed, and often times locked – tight! So is it reasonable to translate that into some form of rejection? Based on the above thinking, we’d almost be inclined to think so.

What does God tell us?

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
- Luke 11:9-10

Note that the translation from the original texts indicates a continual practice of these things; “keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking” – and it will be opened to you.

Hmmm, so it’s a bit like visiting someone’s house; if you arrived and found the door shut, would that strike you as being odd? If you wanted to ask the owner of the house something, do you just stand outside and pray fervently that they might open it to you … eventually? The fact that you found the door closed in the first place is afterall somewhat expected and not necessarily an indication of rejection - right? Regardless, you continue to stand there and hope, and wait, and hope … and wait …. while all that time you could instead take a simple leap of faith and – knock!

So what does this tell me;

• You can expect most doors to be shut, to be opened. Why else are we told to knock? If the opening was meant to always be open, why is there a door?
• We are to then petition that it be opened.
• A closed-door does not immediately indicate “No”. Why else are we told to be persistent?
• “Asking”, “Seeking”, and “Knocking” are acts of faith. We can hope and pray that it will open on its own, or we can step-out and knock, and move forth by faith.

Using the above example, if you knocked once on someone’s door, and there was no immediate answer, what do you normally do – just shrug and walk away? It’s reasonable to expect that you’d more than likely be inclined to knock again.

And by faith I know that the One behind that door loves me deeply and cares for me more than I could fathom, while I humbly wait to be exalted, in His due time.

Meanwhile, I’ll keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, keep trusting, keep casting, and keep serving, to His glory.

Blessings

Marc

United, We … Forgot?

George W. Bush’s recent farewell bid to the nation ended with “… with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals, this great nation will never tire, never falter, and never fail.”

I have to ask; if left to people of this day, what does “confidence in our ideals” amount to? Confidence in what, or in whom?

Ideals?

Ask an American today the standard used to label our nation as “great” – what or who gets the credit? Likewise, the ability to “never tire, falter, or fail” is found within … what?

At this point does America remember who she is, where she came from, and what she believes? She used to.

Let’s change context for a moment. Picture the very same ending text being proclaimed in our land some 230 years ago. Would there be any confusion? Unquestionably it would have been heard with different ears;

“the courage and confidence of our people” in the Almighty and Him alone, through Whom we will “never tire, never falter, and never fail”. The title “great nation” fully justified because of who God is, the One who established it.

Yes, you bet our forefathers held this mightily with all their heart, and they believed such would endure and be preserved throughout our history. Preserved, because it’s America’s very foundation, born out His grace, through people who faithfully turned to Him, His wisdom, and His word from the very beginning.

America is God’s possession, and we are His people, the national benefactors. Have we forgotten? Or worse, don’t care anymore?

Unfortunately, history faithfully repeats itself.

Long ago the Israelites obtained a rich heritage like none other – recipients of God’s favor who became His “chosen people”, a new nation under God (… sounds familiar). And this they received because … they deserved it? They worked hard and earned it? No, this was God’s will and good pleasure – His nation, blessed and established through unmeasurable grace.

Scriptures reveals a time when they fell away from God and later became enslaved by the Egyptians. God in His mercy began to work through His servant Moses to liberate them, demonstrating His power; turning the river to blood, and parting the sea that later crashed down upon their enemies. Surely they must have marveled and praised God, and rightly so!

But how long afterward did it take for forgetfulness and worry to set back in? Not long – they quickly lost faith, fearing for their lives as if suddenly left vulnerable to fend for themselves in the dessert.

Didn’t God just demonstrate His saving power? They quickly forgot who they were as a nation.

The apostles witnessed Jesus feeding thousands at a time from only a small boy’s lunch basket. An amazing sight, no doubt! Yet, shortly after that day they found themselves in the midst of a similar multitude and somehow asked, “Where are we going to get enough food to feed all these people”?

Was the previous display of God’s sovereignty and power not enough? Had they so easily lost sight of who they’ve been following all this time?

President Obama during his Inauguration stated, “… those values upon which our success depends – hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism – these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths.”

Though eloquent, still utterly absent is any acknowledgment of the Almighty as the author of these attributes, of which our true “success depends”. Sadly, that’s not revered as relevant, effective, or appropriate. Instead, we’re called to return to “truths” that have been a “quiet force”. I respectfully request a definition of that.

The President also added, “So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled.”

The financial collapse of early Fall 2008 conjured up endless talking heads and rhetoric, all stating expert assessments about what’s needed to promote healing and restoration. Astoundingly, amidst it all, no mention of remembering or summoning God, humbly asking for His healing, His wisdom, His restoration, His forgiveness, was to be heard anywhere.

Did we “mark that day with remembrance” of God? Did our heritage come to mind? Was turning to Him our natural response in the manner of our forefathers?

No, as a people we honestly have no recollection of any of this.

After having blessed our nation with the World War II victory, how long did it take us to repeat the historical trend and forget the Lord’s favor? From the very mid-century triumph that He enabled, how long did it take us to plunge into self-indulgence and dismiss any “remembrance” of Him?

Was it not even 14 years afterward that America decided it best to remove Bibles and prayer from our schools? Not even 10 years after that we felt it just to legalize abortion and pave a way to countless, endless murders of the innocent?

Just to name these events … it really didn’t take long at all to forget. Is this how we remember and give thanks?

How can America have “remembrance” of the “values upon which our success depends” if we don’t acknowledge the source of them? What standard is being referred to?

Certainly we’re no longer holding a unified truth. Instead, we’re doing what’s right in our own eyes – that’s become our relevant “universal truth”. My friends, like the Israelites long ago, we’ve fallen away, and are under sure judgment.

Better put, “what is demanded” is a return to the Truth, through which our true “success depends”, where we once again find the true sources of grace, forgiveness, and unmerited favor we so desperately lack. “These things are true“, if we’ll just humble ourselves before an awesome and mighty God that alone holds our past and our future.

Marc Stasio

For Which It Stands

… One World, under Relativism, universalized, for reasoning and tolerance of it all

“Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason. … I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God’s will.”
- Barack Obama, June 26, 2006, ‘Call to Renewal’ conference.

How does this compare to the convictions of our American founders?

“…it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes….”
- George Washington Inaugural Speech, April 30, 1789

“If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him….Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.”
- William Penn

“As no truth is more clearly taught in the Volume of Inspiration, nor any more fully demonstrated by the experience of all ages, than that a deep sense and a due acknowledgment of the growing providence of a Supreme Being and of the accountableness of men to Him as the searcher of hearts and righteous distributor of rewards and punishments are conducive equally to the happiness of individuals and to the well-being of communities…”
- John Adams, March 6, 1799

… to submit only a small sample, the stark contrast is sobering.

What happened - ”Change”?  God never changes.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”
- Hebrews 13:8

“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations”
- Psalm 33:11

Does “through all generations” include us today? If so, and our country was founded in Him and His principles, how then is this “change” defended?

By what divine admonition are we to justifiably distill all our “truth’s” as universal, definable by ”reason” - of which no reasonable definition prevails?

Our founders were “motivated” by clear Biblical principles. What’s “demanded” is to know by what authority our modern day Representatives are now motivated. For the sake of our heritage they owe America this explanation, which is not likely to be afforded or considered the obligation it once was.

Democracy, as defined by the Constitution that I hold, never ”demanded” any such ”translation”. These are not just mere “concerns” regarding “religious values”. These are Godly-values “motivated” by His word and His Holy Spirit that indwells believers. They simply cannot be and are not subject to man’s argument, and “amenable” to man’s universalized reasoning. Mr. Obama, see that there is a Supreme Being, the divine Authority to whom we are all ultimately accountable. He is the standard, the Truth.

Why are our elected Officials unable to maintain these faith principles today? Our country’s founders certainly were convicted by, dependent, and faithfully devoted to them.

Obama’s closing words at the ‘Call to Renewal’ perhaps sums it up,

“… I said a prayer of my own. It’s a prayer I think I share with a lot of Americans. A hope that we can live with one another in a way that reconciles the beliefs of each with the good of all. It’s a prayer worth praying, and a conversation worth having in this country in the months and years to come.”

It’s no surprise that this prayer wins the hearts of the masses, and no doubt is shared “with a lot of Americans” - it’s right in line with the universal reasoning of our day. Reconciling the beliefs of everyone for the good of all might seem “worthy” within a popular New Age context, but it’s nowhere to be found in scripture.

Certainly the Bible teaches love and respect – yes. But the idea that everything is basically right and good and we just have to accept it all, be tolerant and move on, is totally contrary to God’s word.

Make no mistake, these are Devil’s lies under the popular guise of “Political Correctness” and “Universal Truth”. It’s of this age, not God’s kingdom.

“We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that ‘except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it’ [Psalm 127:1]. I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.”
- Ben Franklin to the Congressional Congress, 1787

“Stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.”
- Abraham Lincoln

Marc Stasio

‘Tis no Reason

The “Freedom From Religion Foundation” (FFRF) and its membership have a permit to display a Winter Solstice sign in the Washington State Capitol for the month of December [2008].

The engraved sign will read:

“At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail.”
“There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell.”
“There is only our natural world.”
“Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts
and enslaves minds.”

The sign has been placed alongside other seasonal images of the Nativity and the Menorah, as an expression of the foundation’s cause to promote the constitutional principle of separation of state and church based on a practice of freethinking and a quest for freedom from religion.
- http://www.ffrf.org/news/2008/olympia.php

re·li·gion (rĭ-lĭj’ən) n.

1a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

From this American Heritage Dictionary excerpt it can be seen how the first three definitions appear in alignment with the FFRF’s depiction of religion.

But what about #4?

Does the FFRF represent a cause, a principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion? If so, does a “religion” rightly define them as well? An interesting irony.

No, in fairness I’ll provide the benefit of the doubt – they’re associating “religion” with the first three. More so, the association of anything involved with belief in God as “religion”.

“… constitutional principle of separation of state and church” would imply that this idea is found worded in our Constitution or amendments - which it is not. There simply is no such mention of separation of state and church.

However, what is penned and fully protected is our freedom OF religion, which by default would include the ability to be freed of it, as well. It was written in the spirit of allowing freedom of worship as a right, with the emphasis that this was vital to each American.

But notice the priority - the order that they’re presented is crucial;

Freedom-OF-religion also affords freedom-FROM-religion, but not the other way – Freedom-FROM-religion DOES NOT afford freedom-OF-religion.

But the FFRF, and many others, may be shocked to realize that scripture promotes ‘freedom from religion’.

During His earthly walk, Christ Jesus was most critical of “religious” people who expected their observances and works to justify them before a holy God. It’s clearly taught that these things can never accomplish that. Rather, Christ revealed how God seeks a relationship, not a religion. He desires restored fellowship based on trust in Christ’s payment of our sins, not attempts at self-justification in the observance of rules and ordinances.

The fact is, the message He proclaimed was the very opposite of being “enslaved” - Jesus said He came to “set the captives free“.

So the FFRF is not alone - God and His people also desire freedom from religion, as taught in His word.

Therefore, may reason prevail:

The “Winter Solstice” is commemorated physically and historically
- So is Christ’s earthly birth, in a manger

“There are no gods”
- Correct, God revealed He is the only One

“There is only our natural world”
- As evidenced through natural eyes under a veil

“Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds”
- Also correct, and includes the religions of Freethinking and Atheism.

Years ago men looked out and observed a “flat” horizon. Reason prevailed that the earth must be flat because his vantage couldn’t see otherwise. His natural senses provided what’s needed to declare it so, and any suggestion otherwise was void of any proof. But, however sincere that conviction, it had no power to change what was, and remains, the inevitably truth of the matter.

Non-believers complain about having beliefs imposed on them. Likewise, as a believer, I’m equally troubled how ”reason prevails” that my faith and my redeemed heart must be “imagined”. You might as well declare that my great grandfather, the place I dwell in, and my dog are “but myth and superstition” - I’m somehow “enslaved” into holding them as true, also. It might as well be that absurd.

To the Freethinkers and those like them – the freedom you seek after is available to you now by your insistence, but it will be short-lived. It’s supported by what’s perceived naturally during this lifetime. Reason would certainly prevail in that context.

But dear friend, the real myth and superstition here is that you believe your stance somehow makes you “free”.

May truth prevail:

That the “freedom” you lay claim to in this life pales miserably in comparison to the liberty, joy, peace, and true freedom found only in Christ, for all eternity.

That your ”natural world” is being seen through fallen-eyes enslaved to sin - the fullness of it’s original design not visible to enslaved minds.

That our fall from grace resulted from a rebellious free-thinking heart that chose not to obey God, but rather insisted on it’s own way. A sin that has severed our intended fellowship with God, and weighed us down with a debt-penalty that is beyond our capacity to repay.

Because of man’s rebellious insistence to rely on himself, God chooses to veil true understanding from such “wise” and proud who are self-sufficient and satisfied with their “knowledge”. They are those who’ve hardened their hearts.

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, 
And prudent in their own sight!
- Isaiah 5:21

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
- Psalm 14:1a

As for religion - countless endeavor to use ”religious” means as a way to attain God’s favor, which will always fail. Throughout His word God makes it clear that we can never repay our debt on such efforts because it’s based on our “goodness” which is described as “filthy rags” before Him. It too is proud and self-sufficient. But this fallen nature simply cannot attain to God’s standard of perfection to satisfy that demand …

- but Christ can!

Through His unfailing love God provides us the only worthy way out , and that’s through the shed blood of Christ Jesus who is able to fully pay the enormous debt on your behalf.

He freely offers this repayment, this redemption, to those who come to realize they’re not “wise” or self-sufficient, but in reality blind and lost and facing a sentence of death. They repent and admit their true sinful nature and their desperate need of deliverance from it.

And it is in Christ that this forgiveness of sins, restored fellowship with God, and life eternal is found.

And, He offers this to the lost as a gift - which cannot be earned or deserved – only accepted.

Likewise - this gift can also be rejected.

Who then are the enslaved? Whose hearts are hardened? Whose minds are bound in myth and superstition?

Yes, – it truly is the “religious”… and the “wise” and self-sufficient, the proud, and the rebellious who insist they are not in need of help or change. They’re “ok” the way they are.

You have a cloud of witnesses proclaiming God’s truth. They’re not telling you what they “think”, or “feel”, or have “reasoned”.  They’re telling you what they know as evidenced in their heart through the renewing miracle of salvation received by grace, and His indwelling Holy Spirit that confirms God’s word within our hearts. And this is first accepted by faith.

To paraphrase; the Bible says that if you feel your eyes already have sight, then you’re not in need of a doctor, and one won’t be imposed on you. – Mark 2:17

From a deprived vantage point the truth about the earth’s roundness is hidden. Similarly, vision to see God in truth is also hidden, except to the blind that have humbly asked to received their sight, and live.

Marc Stasio

A Narrow Walk

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
- Matthew 7:13-14

God’s people know and live life’s meaning, and His truth has been revealed for ages. Yet, the masses insist on dismissing and ignorning it all, turning instead to human wisdom and endlessly searching.

Why? God never bestowed life as a mystery, but clearly defined it from the beginning;

We were created by Him, and for Him, to His glory. We were made to worship and praise Him continually. God desires a people, a family, that chooses to love Him this way, not forced to do so - because He’s worthy!

God could have easily created ‘robots’ that involuntarily do these things, but what’s the value of that? Rather, His desire was to bestow a will that’s free, allowing us to choose to love Him this way, because we want to in response to His great love. Through this we enjoy His fellowship and dominion for all eternity!

It must be understood; a will that is genuinely free cannot rightly have limitations or controls imposed on it. This free will then possesses the ability to accept as well as to reject the Almighty. Therefore, we who do accept, bring Him only more glory because it’s genuinely from our hearts – the very way God wants it to be.

Although this is the intent, it has become darkened and stained through sin - the very product of this same free will, and the result of which is spiritual death; eternal separation from Him. Through this fall we have lost our way, our connection to God, life’s very meaning and purpose as it was designed to be.

So, are we then left to remain dead in our sins without hope and doomed eternally? Without God’s gift of salvation that He graciously offers, yes.

Understand, this gift is offered to you for the taking. You cannot earn a gift, it’s given by grace from someone else. We normally receive gifts gladly when they’re offered. But, within us is the capacity to also reject them, if we so choose. The saving work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross is God’s gift to you, where our Lord paid for your sins, and mine – thus wiping them away!

This sin blinds us to the reality that we even need help – that we need salvation in any way. This results in untold masses who are frighteningly unaware of their disparity.

Sin blinds us to the truth about life, as God defines. We’re left not believing it, but instead relying on our own means to understand, believing lies. We foolishly trust instead in ourselves.

Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
- Mark 2:17

Christ is referring to those who believe they’re already “ok”, despite God’s declaration that they’re not. The Bible exclaims that all have sinned, all fall short – and that includes you and me.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
- Romans 6:23

New life in Christ is about your spiritual birth – you were once dead and empty inside and now you’re alive, filled by the Holy Spirit and the joy of the Lord. You face the future and all eternity with security and gladness, not fear. The things of this world lose their meaning in light of it all. You now have God’s purpose and direction, meaning and fulfillment, all to His glory. It’s joyous because you’ve now been gloriously restored to the state you were originally designed for – complete fellowship with God, and service to Him.

It’s no mystery. It’s the clear theme found throughout God’s word. Are you eager to find it for yourself?

Although this precious gift is available to all, it’s found only by blind sinners who come to realize that God is right, that their true condition is as His word says. And the few that do receive a new heart, and a new life, and they now taste in part the joy and peace that lies ahead of this narrow walk.

Marc Stasio