Christians On the Broadway
Published by H T Paul Davis in Bible Questions · 26 February 2019
For several years I have considered
writing a new book to challenge all Christians to stay faithful to the Word of
God and their life with God. Jesus warned the church in Matthew that we
are to "Enter in at the straight (tight or narrow) gate, for wide is the
gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which
go in thereat" (Matthew 7:13). The difference between the narrow way
to Heaven and the broad way to destruction is simply a matter of believing and
obeying the Word of God. However, because of the many religions in the
world, the majority of people do not know what they are to
believe. Unfortunately this is also true of Christians who believe in
Jesus Christ. Satan has convinced the majority of Christians that because
they believe in Jesus Christ they are truly saved.
I once pointed out to a Christian
friend of mine who happened to be a Baptist -- "your problem is that you believe
in your believing and trust in your trusting". I'm not trying to
denigrate Baptist but simply pointing out that Christians are often taught to
"believe in their believing" with such unscriptural terms as
"accept Jesus as your personal savior". Exactly what does that
mean? It is not a quote from the Bible, but it is commonly stated and the
result is that most Christians have learned to "trust in their own
trusting" rather than believing in the Word of God. The "Accept
Jesus as your personal savior" mantra has found its way into almost every
Christian church even though there is absolutely no scripture anywhere in the
Bible that makes that statement. While most understand that it simply
means to believe in Jesus Christ, the use of the phrase has created the
"easy believism" that has become the substitution for true faith unto
salvation.
A more reliable "plan of
salvation" and one that is scriptural is to quote Peter when he was asked,
"Men and brethren, what shall we do". Peter said "Repent
and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts
2:37-38). That statement IS scriptural and is the scripture that is used
by Christians who truly believe the Word of God and will not accept any
substitutes made by man. By staying with scripture, a Christian ensures
that he or she will walk the narrow way instead of being a Christian on the
broadway.
