A Warning
This painting, by artist William C. Ressler, is a superb illustration of Christ’s warning to all of us:
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 there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. [Mat 7.13-14]
Please understand the point of this article: The broad way that leads to destruction is “Christianity” without repentance--it is being a “believer” without turning from sin to trust in and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. This warning is for “Christians” who have no desire to act like Christians.
The way of false religion (including a false conversion to Christ) leads to hell and the lake of fire–eternal death and destruction; the road to forgiveness and eternal life comes only by means of the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is the reconciling bridge between God and man.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. [1Tim 2.5]
This also illustrates well the fact that most people in this world have rejected the one true God and His truth as expressed clearly in Scripture, and they are therefore under God’s wrath (Rom 1.18-32). Ultimately, this world and all its wickedness will be judged by God and purged by fire (2Pet 3.7). God will then create a new heaven and a new earth, free of the the curse of the fall of Adam, and in that new creation He will establish Christ’s righteous kingdom (Rev 22.1-5).
And although this is the condemnation of the world, the devil, and his angels, God is not willing that any human soul should perish, but that all would come to repentance (2Pet 3.9) and salvation in Christ (1Tim 2.4).
However, we must understand that all who practice sin are slaves to sin (John 8.34; Rom 6.16); they do not belong to Christ (John 8.44; 2Tim 2.19). Remember, Christ said that you can judge a tree by its fruit (Mat 7.16-20). Those who say they are “Christians” but do not strive to learn Him, to be like Him, and walk like He walked (1Jn 2.6), are not following Him. They are still following the sin they so love. They are dead in their sins and trespasses remain condemned with the world (Eph 2.1). The wages of sin is death–ultimately the eternal death of the lake of fire (Rom 6:23; Rev 21.8).
The Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, has rendered every soul savable through His propitiatory, substitutionary death and glorious resurrection (Rom 3.19-26). Because on the cross He suffered the whole of God’s wrath for each and every sinner (1Jn 2.2). With our lies, thefts, blasphemies, hatred, murder, slander, pride, idolatry, pornography, sexual immorality, and depravity, we have broken God’s moral Law and greately offended our Creator (Ps 5.5; 7.11). But, Jesus paid our fine! The Just suffered for the unjust, to justify us and reconcile us to God! Oh, what heavenly love! A priceless gift of grace!
Repent of your sins! Turn from your sins to the Savior! Trust solely in Him and in His finished work on the cross! He will regenerate you by the Holy Spirit! You will be declared righteous by the power of His blood! You will be freed from slavery to sin! Believe on Him today! Tomorrow is not guaranteed!
And then, please, get a good Bible, read it daily, and do what it says. Find a good church that will teach you the Bible (both what is says and how to apply it). Do not perish with the world. Get off the broad road of destruction while you still can!