One Way In

 John 10: 1-10

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” ⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

There is only one gate, one gatekeeper, one shepherd, Jesus.  We waste our time trying to be part of the flock if we do not choose Jesus and follow him.  We might be misled by the proponents of an "easier way", but it is only by accepting Jesus, following him, being as much like him as possible, then we can enter the kingdom.   No cheating, no corner cutting, but total dedication of ourselves our gifts, our powers to  him...All for Jesus..  In him, through him, with him. Can we do it?  Do we want to? Let's come back to these questions often during the day, especially when things are not going our way.

Bro Rene