A ministry of Moody Bible Institute Enter In DOORS AND GATES IN SCRIPTURE MARCH 2020 Today with Mark Jobe Is Christianity Too Narrow? From the President of Moody Bible Institute “Christianity is narrow enough to lead to life, but it is broad enough to lead to grace.” When I was dating to see all religious beliefs as equally my wife, Dee, I took valid. We are told that no single view can her to the small be completely right, and that if we hold town in Spain where this attitude, we are unreasonable. I grew up. I was But, according to Scripture, excited to show her Christianity is radically narrow. Listen to the caves I explored Jesus’ words: “Enter through the narrow as a boy, crawling gate. For wide is the gate and broad is through dark tunnels by flashlight to the road that leads to destruction, and discover enormous caverns filled with many that enter through it. But small stalactites and stalagmites. Because we is the gate and narrow is the road that were young and in love, Dee agreed to leads to life, and only a few people this adventure. As I led her through the find it” (Matt. 7:13–14). Jesus is clear. mud in the ever-narrowing passage, I There is only one God and one way to could hear her begin to panic. What if God. There is no other way but through we got stuck? But, twenty feet later, we Jesus. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the stepped into this spectacular cave. I said way and the truth and the life. No one to her, “It’s narrow to get there. But, boy comes to the Father except through me.” is it worth it!” Here, Jesus instructs us that there are no I thought about that story because multiple ways to be right with God. There Christianity is like that. Some people say, is no Plan B. There is no other option. “It’s way too narrow.” And they are right. To embrace any other way to God But you have to go through something is to deny the salvation of Jesus Christ. If very narrow to get to something there were multiple ways, Jesus would extremely great. Living in today’s never have come. He would not have pluralistic culture, I’m sure you’ve heard needed to die on the Cross. Friend, people say, “I don’t believe in absolute Christianity is narrow enough to lead truth. Each of us has to discover our own to life, but it is broad enough to lead to truth for ourselves.” Or: “All religions grace. God’s truth is indeed narrow, but have a piece of truth, but none of them His boundless, incomprehensible love can claim all the truth.” We are pressured assures us that grace is wide. 800 356 6639 Practical Theology Exclusively Inclusive by Dr. John Koessler “By making Jesus the only door through which we can find salvation, God opened the way to include everyone who comes in faith.” In this pluralistic and inclusive age, it is will not be turned away (John 6:37). popular to think that many diverse roads By making Jesus the only door can lead to God. With so many belief through which we can find salvation, systems, how can just one be correct? God opened the way to include Those who assert this opinion consider everyone who comes in faith. Jesus the church’s claim that Jesus alone is the is to salvation what Adam was to sin. gate of salvation an example of cultural Paul explains this relationship in these arrogance. How can we as Christ’s words: “Consequently, just as one followers respond to this criticism? trespass resulted in condemnation for First, it is important for us to realize that all people, so also one righteous act this claim did not originate with the resulted in justification and life for all church. This claim of exclusivity traces people” (Rom. 5:18). Christ came as our to Jesus Himself, who declared, “I am representative and as our substitute. the way and the truth and the life. No You might say that the salvation one comes to the Father except through that Jesus offers is exclusively inclusive. me” (John 14:6). The promise of forgiveness can be Second, the gift of salvation considered exclusive because it comes through faith in Jesus Christ is offered only through Christ. But, it is also not just to a select few, but to all. Jesus inclusive because the invitation to is the gate and the door, but He also receive this gift is offered to all: “For just extends this gift of salvation broadly as as through the disobedience of the one “the Lamb of God, who takes away the man the many were made sinners, so sin of the world!” (John 1:29). 1 John also through the obedience of the one 2:2 says, “He is the atoning sacrifice for man the many will be made righteous” our sins, and not only for ours but also (Rom. 5:19). By making righteousness for the sins of the whole world.” Jesus contingent on the One, God opened assured us that whoever comes to Him the way of salvation to many. For Further Study To learn more, read Only One Way: Christian Witness in an Age of Inclusion edited by Michael L. Johnson and Richard D. Phillips (P&R Publishing). MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE Go Deeper We hope these questions will help you consider (or discuss with others) what God is teaching you through this month’s study of His Word. We’ve left a bit of room to write down your thoughts as well! WEEK 1: What do you do when sin is crouching at your door (see March 17)? How might you help other believers in the same situation? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ WEEK 2: What Bible verse(s) do you have posted or hanging in your home? How are you living up to them? In what ways might you do better? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ WEEK 3: How might you explain to someone, with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), that Jesus is the only way to God? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ WEEK 4: Doors in Scripture are sometimes connected with hospitality. What is biblical hospitality? How can you grow in this practice? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ 800 3566639 March 2020 Enter In Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.—Psalm 24:7 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Rev. 3:20). What a powerful picture! Christ stands at the heart’s door of every believer. Our Savior desires a closer, deeper relationship with His people; He wants to dwell with us. This image of the door of our heart is one of many mentions of doors and gates in Scripture—our study in this month’s Today in the Word. We pray that as we explore this topic—from Jacob’s dream and the gate to Heaven in Genesis all the way to the image of the New Jerusalem’s gates in Revelation—you’ll grow in your relationship with Christ and better understand: • The significance of doors and gates in Scripture • How to connect these images with the truth of salvation in Christ • Our need to hear Christ’s voice and follow Him as the only “gate for the sheep” (John 10:7) • God’s invitation to deeper fellowship with Him (Rev. 3:20) Thank you for your support of the ministry of Today in the Word! Your partnership is vital as we bring the Word of God to thousands of people around the world, helping them open their hearts and lives to “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). VOLUME 33 • ISSUE 3 Managing Editor: Jamie Janosz Senior Editor: Elena Mafter Contributing Editor: John Koessler Writer: Brad Baurain Art Director: Lynn Gabalec Graphic Designer: Rachel Hutcheson Marketing & Production: Paul B. Currie Moody Bible Institute is the sole publisher of Today in the Word, copyright © 2020 by Moody Bible Institute. All rights reserved. Please direct all Today in the Word inquiries to Donor Resource Management, 820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Printed in the U.S.A. Today in the Word is published monthly. Printed on 30% recycled paper. TODAYINTHEWORD.ORG Sunday, March 1 Gates and Doors Read Psalm 24 Be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.—Psalm 24:7 If you close your eyes, can you picture hands (can be seen) and a pure heart the door of your childhood home? (cannot be seen). Maybe you remember unlatching the The leader of the procession calls gate that led to your backyard? If you dramatically for the city gates to open returned to these same places today, and receive the Ark, symbolizing you might pause—before you walked the presence of God (vv. 7–10). through—to remember the past. The expression “Lift up your heads, In the ancient near East, a you gates” implies welcome and triumphant king or leader entering a submission.