If you've been following Matthew and Rachel Bush the last couple of years, then you know that "The Road Less Traveled" is the name of our first music album, and Matthew 7:13-14 have been the theme nearly everywhere we've sung.
Matthew 7:13, "Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; 14 Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
When we sing our song, "The Road Less Traveled," we say the words, "I'll stay on this pathway, for some glad tomorrow, the road less traveled will lead me Home." We are talking about entering into the Kingdom of Heaven. We know that by belief in Jesus, who is the living word of God, we are saved and may enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Also, at the end of Matthew 7, (right after he spoke about "The Road Less Traveled") Jesus explained the importance of faith in His Word.
Matthew 7:24, "Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the wind's blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 and everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the wind blew, and beat upon that house: and it fell: and great was the fall of it."
It is our hope, as we travel around Texas singing gospel music, that we help others to have faith in Jesus and His Word, so that they may spend eternity in Heaven.
2 Peter 3:9, "For God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
As simple as it is to believe God, we know that since the very beginning Satan has been teaching people to doubt God's word and leading many people down the broad road of disbelief. Unbelief is what will keep people from entering the Kingdom of Heaven.
Hebrews 3:19, "So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief."
We hope to accomplish more than just a good sound when we sing; we hope to encourage a belief in the Word of God. The Bible foretells of a time when people won't hold God's Word in high regard. I believe we are witnessing that time right now.
2 Timothy 4:3, "for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lust shall they keep to themselves teachers having itching ears: 4 and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
Statistics tell us that there are many Christians alive in the world today, but close examination reveals that very few of them believe in the things that Christ had to say. The world has been putting an immense amount of relentless pressure on everyone to condone sin and normalize it.
If you need a few examples, just consider how homosexuality continues to march forward in a militant advance upon society, and, coincidentally, sexual crimes against children are getting more numerous by the day.
It is most aggravating to discover that churches have stood for all of this sin by sweeping it under the rug, and allowing it to continue, rather than addressing the issues as the Bible says to. We often hear Christians quote the passage in James that says, "resist the devil and he shall flee from you." These Christians say that they are ready to take a stand for Jesus, but when the world comes in full force against what is right, and it becomes necessary to make a choice between the world (the devil's kingdom) and the kingdom of God, the silence of Christians speaks louder than anything.
I'm reminded of when Elijah asked the question, "How long halt ye between [God and baal]?"
(1 Kings 18:21). Their response was silence. The Bible tells us that we are not supposed to be shy about standing in opposition of the world.
1John 2:15, "love not the world neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but is of the world."
It is because of the lust of the flesh, and a desire to get along with the worldly people, that Christians have become ashamed and offended by the word of God.
It seems that many Christians have developed a habit of hiding their differences with lost people to keep from making things uncomfortable, but that is exactly the opposite of what a Bible-believing Christian should be doing. We should be taking the opportunities presented to us to tell lost people that, if they repent of their sin, they can be reconciled to God.
Romans 1:16, "for I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: or it is a power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
God has not called us to condone the lifestyle of the world around us, nor has He called us to make them feel good, but he has called us to preach reconciliation to the world.
2 Corinthians 5:19, "To wit that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech You by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God."
A ministry of reconciliation presumes a state of estrangement from God the Father. The separation from God is the most crucial part of the Gospel message when we're trying to reach lost people. Separation and estrangement caused by sin is the context for everything that Christ came to do. We have to establish that understanding with folks in order to effectively communicate the gospel.
Galatians 3:22, "but the scripture have concluded all under sin, that the promise of faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."
Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."
If we fail to convince people of their sin and separation from God, then saying they need Jesus to save them won't make a lick of sense to them.
We must make sure that people understand that God expects perfection. Even the most defensive person has to admit that he isn't perfect. Since even the best of us can never measure up to the expectations of our heavenly father, then, by default, we are all condemned to death and eternal separation from God—unless we believe and be reconciled to God the Father through Jesus Christ, The Son.
Romans 6:23, "for the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
With belief in Jesus, we can get off of the broad road that leads to destruction and start traveling the narrow road that leads to life eternal—Just like Abraham—who believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Let us not be afraid to speak or preach against what the Bible clearly calls sin.
If we neglect to do so, we are hiding our light under a bushel. We are called to warn people of the fact that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).
2 Corinthians 5:11, "Knowing therefore the terror of the lord, we persuade men."
John 12:48, "he that rejected me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 and I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the father said unto me, so I speak."
I would like to conclude this article by encouraging everyone to examine themselves and ask yourselves if you have confessed your sins and repented-truly believing the Gospel.
Remember, there will be many people who call themselves Christians who won't make it to heaven because of their unbelief.
Matthew 7:21, "not everyone that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in Heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Read Your Bible
by Matthew Bush
Dead on teaching. Never give up.
Dead on teaching. Don't ever give up.