Journal Entry

Narrow is the Way

During a recent debate with a self-declared  “devil’s advocate,” my opponent boldly alleged that “God is a theory.” 

“No,” I said. “God is an absolute fact.” 

“Wow. You’re narrow minded,” he said. 

I held up the Bible and responded, “I agree. I am this narrow minded. 

Matthew 7:13-14

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 thereat:  

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

“Show me God, then,“ he continued. “Prove it,” he said, gesturing at the atmosphere. “I don’t see God anywhere.”

“He is everywhere,” I said, gesturing in the same way. Look around. “Everywhere our eyes can travel, we can see God. We were made in His image—so I see God when I look at you, or my son, or even when I look in the mirror. We are His handiwork. His fingerprint is all over creation.” 

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I pulled back the nearby window curtain and gestured outside. “Look at the sky, the trees, the birds, the plants.”

Colossians 1:16-17

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

As he continued to insist that none of that was convincing proof of God for an atheist or agnostic, I remembered the days when I too was blind and could not see what was right in front of me.

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

What finally tore the veil that blinded my eyes for over three decades? What broke the cycle of ever-learning but never arriving at the Truth? 

The Word of God. 

John 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

The same was in the beginning with God.  

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

The inspired, inerrant and infallible Holy Bible explains the origin of humankind and the cause of its dire current state, and it is the only book that has ever been able to read me, perpetually and accurately, in real-time, every time I open it. 

it is Alive. 

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

When I first began to read and pray and ask God to open my eyes, I was shocked to find that the Bible accurately identified me as a fallen being with a wicked and deceitful heart, who regularly betrayed my own well-being. 

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

It diagnosed my inability to save myself (no matter how many times or how hard I tried): 

Isaiah 65:6

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

And then there it was...the Gift...the Cure—Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, who—while I was yet a sinner—stepped into His own creation to lay down His life to ransom my soul, bearing all the burdens and consequences of my sin upon Himself. 

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Running low on faith? 

Romans 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

As Jesus overcame death and arose on the third day, He called me back to a life amongst the living. He ransomed me by paying a debt I could never pay. All I had to do was accept that ultimate free gift in Spirit and Truth. 

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The moment I trusted and believed in Him, I was born again! The veil over my eyes was torn for good. 

John 3:3

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Submitting to the Word and Spirit of God changed me forever. And if you’re still breathing, it’s not too late for you to accept His offer to do the same for you! 

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

When I look around now, I can only see Him and His handiwork. Everything in creation points to the Creator. He is alive and seated on His rightful throne. 

Revelation 5:13

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Physical death has been reduced to nothing more than a bridge that will lead me home to the ever-loving, nail-scarred hands of my Heavenly Father. 

2 Corinthians 5:8

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Yet for those who willfully reject the Lord and His gift of Life, death will be the final breaking point, and by their own choosing, they will be eternally separated from the source of all Life and Blessing. The result? A chasm of perpetually falling souls, who will weep and gnash teeth while thirsting for the very salvation they rejected. 

Revelation 20:15

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

I thank the Lord every day that I am now seated with Him in heavenly places.

Ephesians 2:5-7

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

I have the honor and privilege of serving King Jesus as His ambassador while I am still here on earth. Blotted out are the days when I too used to serve as a “devil’s advocate.“

2 Corinthians 5:20

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Instead, I get the pleasure of pointing others to The Light of the world, The King of kings and The Lord of Lords—Jesus Christ. I get to do what I was created to do in the first place—praise and adore Him in unbroken fellowship, glorifying Him as I enjoy being a part of His incredible creation. What an amazing Father! 

Psalm 104:31

The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.

To any of you that may feel like orphans, lost and wandering through this world, lonely or cast aside, please know that I was there, and now on the flipside, I am a firsthand witness of the power of God’s amazing grace. He broke every chain of angst, depression and rebellion in me. 

2 Corinthians 10:4 

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

He rerouted my life from the wide road of destruction to the narrow path of righteousness. Rest assured that God Almighty is ready and willing to sign your adoption papers just like He did mine. And your destiny will change forever. All you have to do is accept. 

Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

And for everyone else, just remember...

Romans 14:10b-12

We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Invest your time wisely while you still have it. 

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Choose to live for what God treasures.

Matthew 6:19-21 

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.