01/02/2011 - There’s no other gate

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“This is the gate of the LORD, through which the righteous shall enter.” (Psalm 118:20)

Some people of God let themselves be deceived by the devil who, in turn, uses them to do something wrong. Then they realize what they’ve done, they confess their sins to the Lord and abandon them. Yet, the memory of their error emerges at times and they commit it again. Some do it to get inspiration; others, for sheer pleasure. Then, once satisfied, they ask the Lord for forgiveness and promise never to do that again. Yet, they’re carried away by the enemy’s tricks once more at the next temptation. Listen! Failing to confess one’s own sins and to abandon them for good is an enemy’s massive blow.

Another error people commit is to wrongly think that they don’t have to make amends with the one they’ve been harmful to once they’ve already acknowledged their sin and confessed it. That’s the way of thinking of the employee that stole money from his workplace, the unfaithful spouse or the false friend that spread slander about you, or stained your reputation. The truth is that we have to make amends with those whose rug we pulled out from under their feet or those we make gossip about. Jesus said: “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24).

Zacchaeus only received salvation when he acknowledged his mistake and actually reconciled with those he’d been unfaithful to. As a tax collector he did hoax –he overcharged the people and pocketed the profits in – yet, he was determined to check out all of his files and hand back fourfold the money he’d taken (Luke 19:8). How can any child of God live in a house, drive a car, or use something which weren’t obtained by his or her own effort?

Those who shrug their shoulders and fail to make amends with the person they somehow outmanoeuvred – when there is still time, will surely be in trouble on the Eternal Judgement Day. Beware of the judgment of the Last Day! There’s only one Gate the righteous will go through which is The Truth, the true righteousness Gate. You can choose to go through the gates of deceit and lies; yet, they lead to destruction (Matthew 7:13).

He who wants to be successful must seek the following: the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Many are only seeking the Kingdom: healing, prosperity, peace, safety, forgiveness of sins; yet, we must also seek the righteousness of the Kingdom of God which is 100 % righteous. There’s nothing unfair in the Lord. Those who are willing to dwell with Him for eternity mustn’t be unfair. Those who aren’t clothed with wedding garments will be thrown into outer darkness (Matthew 22:1 – 14).

Be careful with this blow of the devil: he uses someone to commit an error; then he deals a filthier blow by making them feel shame so they won’t confess their sin. He’ll literally throw up that error with all its details on the great Day. So, my brother, do make amends now by going through The Gate.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares