The Burning Building — E.A. Johnston

The Narrow Way and the Scarcity of Salvation

In Matthew's Gospel, in chapter 7 and in verses 13 through 14, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preached that many are on a broad way that leads to destruction. Listen to verse 14 and focus upon his words regarding salvation.

Because straight is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Jesus plainly teaches in this passage both the difficulty and scarcity of those who make it into heaven.

Jesus Christ Is the Only Way to the Father

He says, the way is narrow. In John 14, 6, Jesus says, he is the way, I am the way. Let that sink in, friend. Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. Now notice carefully what he says next.

No man cometh unto the Father but by me. Now listen, friends, to how Jesus refers to himself in John's Gospel in chapter 10 and verse 9. I am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved. Now, friend, picture in your mind a burning building.

The Burning Building and the One Door of Rescue

There are people trapped in that burning inferno, facing utter destruction and death. There is a door. It is marked exit. And all those who pass through that door will be saved. But first, they must find the door.

And there's only one way out. And it is through this door. It must be found. Once found, it must be opened, with great difficulty. And one must strive to get through it, for it is a matter of life or death.

The Narrow Door Must Be Entered

In Matthew we read,. And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. That door to safety must be opened and entered by violence, for burning flames are at your back.

Jesus said, No man cometh unto the Father but by me. The people in that burning building need to be rescued. There is a way out, through the exit door to safety. Hell is a region of torments and flames.

Christ Alone and the Rejection of False Gospels

And there is only one way to avoid being cast into hell and its fires. Like the people in that burning building, there is only one way out. Jesus is the door, the only door. Jesus is the way, the only way.

Jesus is Lord, the only Lord. There is, therefore, no way of salvation open for man, apart from unconditional surrender to Christ as Lord. False gospels will speak of an easier way, but they only lead to destruction and perdition.

Christ is Lord, the only Lord. In this sense, the gospel is absolutely intolerant. God declares, For I am God, and there is none else. God is the God of all men, and there can be salvation and no other.

The One True Salvation Versus the Religions of the World

The conclusion is, Turn to me and be saved. There are many doors and ways of the world religions that lead only to death and destruction. A watered-down gospel does not differ from Hinduism or Buddhism as they each lead astray to the same inferno.

False Doors and the Danger of Religious Self-Salvation

Jesus speaks of the danger of trying to climb up to heaven by false doors. He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same as a thief and a robber. Again, Jesus says, I am the door.

By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture. Being trapped in a burning building is a terrible and horrifying death, especially when there was a way out through the exit door.

Repentance and Urgent Faith in Christ

Jesus is the door, and he declares, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me. Repent of your sins, and come to Christ, and believe on him, and own him as your Lord.

There is no other way. If you miss Christ, you will surely die in your sins, and be burned in flames while clothed in your religious coverings and hanging on to a false hope that turned out only to be a wrong door.

Let us pray.