2Cor3:14 Not only Moses’ face was veiled, but his people’s minds and understanding were veiled and blinded too.  Even now when the scripture is read it  seems as though Jewish hearts and minds are covered by a thick veil, because they cannot see and understand the real meaning of the scriptures.  For this veil of misunderstanding can be removed only by believing in Christ. TLB

Not only Jewish hearts and minds are covered by a thick veil but also many, many Christians. For we are the new “Jew” or God’s chosen people. Many Christians don’t want to give up all their sins, maybe just some of them. This creates a huge problem that needs to be addressed.

Jesus spoke of a narrow and difficult road and a small gate that leads to life and that only a few will find it. Is he saying that only a few “Christians” will find it? Or is he referring to all humankind?

You may disagree with me, (most folks do), but I would say both. So, yes all of Christianity is included. Now why would I say that? And can I prove my point? I think I can but its up to you dear reader to decide whether I’m telling the truth or not.

It all comes down to our sin levels. Most christians want a broad road to live on in this world and go to heaven when they die. Who doesn’t want that? Hey, if you can have your cake and eat it to, why not? But we know that we just can’t skippity doo dah on down the broad road that leads to destruction and get away with it. That’s a blueprint for destruction.

That  narrow and difficult road, we know that is the road we are supposed to be on, because that is the road that leads to life.

So do we have to earn our salvation by living a strict and obedient life? Earning maybe would be the wrong word  to use. But a narrow and difficult road does sound like a life of self-denial and obedience.

Are we to “be holy for without holiness no one will see the Lord.”? What does it mean, “be holy”? Isn’t the holiness purchased for me enough?

Some will say, “Jesus is my holiness, he purchased it for me on the cross. Jesus is my righteousness, it is his righteousness that enables me to enter heaven, not any filthy rag righteousness that I could conjure up. Jesus has done it all on the cross, it is what he has done at Calvary that saves us all. As a consequence we don’t have to do a thing, he has done it all 100% we don’t have to do anything 0% towards our salvation. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation as a matter of fact we are told by the Bible to not even try.”

Very convincing arguments I have to admit, but you are missing some important and vital ingredients of the gospel, in other words your gospel as you just explained it s incomplete. You have to ask the vital question, how are we supposed to live?

Dude, “We try to live better lives because we are thankful for what He has done for us at the cross.” Okay, so how much better? If one throttles down his sin level by, let’s say 22.5% is that enough “thanksgiving”? Dude, “You can’t measure it, you just do the best you can.” And what if the best I can is just a little tiny bit? Is that okay? Maybe I will look at pornography only once or twice a week instead of everyday, is that and good way to show my “thankfulness”?

Maybe I’ll forgive this one person for what they done but I will not forgive this other person their sins because I really got screwed. I know I shouldn’t love money and all the things it can buy and I try not to but on the other hand I want to get ahead in this world and provide good things for my family. I know I shouldn’t drink too much, (or for some of you Pentacostals, not at all) but I need a drink or two after a hard days work, it also helps drown out my nagging wife’s voice.

I know I shouldn’t be critical of others but did you see the way that woman was dressed? And in church! I know that Jesus said that if we are so much as angry at someone it is like the sin of murder, but sometimes I can’t help it. Did I miss anything? Let’s see, stop swearing, stop lying, stop stealing, stop sinning!

Dude; “we can’t live up to the standards of the law, we just can’t, and God does not expect us to, and that is the truth. He always forgives if we ask for it. We are sinners saved by grace through faith and that is not of yourselves it is a gift of God.”

Like I said Dude you are missing an important and vital ingredient of the gospel. The gospel is not a one and done experience. I know that is what we are taught but that does not line up with the scriptures.

That is why we start to get discomfited when we try to figure out just exactly what it is that God expects of us. Is it a lot? A little? Nothing at all?  If it is nothing at all then what stops us from doing whatever we please? If it is a little please spell it out how much is a little. If it is a lot then we are in big trouble.

Okay, here it is, it has been spelled out for us in the book of Romans, Ro.1:17 “For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, ‘the just shall live by faith’”. ESV

We are to live just, holy, righteous lives and we are to do it by faith. Not works. By faith. That is the gospel. It is spelled out for us throughout the scriptures and especially in Romans. This is not an option it is required of us, if you are not doing this then you are not living the gospel. Get that? You are to live the gospel not just believe it. Living the gospel is living a righteous life by faith, for the just shall live just live by his faith. And faith alone not by our own good works. 

If you fail to live the gospel by faith then you will most certainly perish. Believing in this and that will not save you because believing in this and that is not what the Bible teaches us is saving faith.

So, dude, take the veil off your face and prayerfully read and understand the holy scriptures. This is necessary and vital for your salvation. Life is not simple, it is complicated so don’t expect simple answers, even in the gospel. 

This is why I call this blog, “one and done” I’m mocking everyone who believes in such nonsense. The road in narrow and hard, Jesus said that, so please take my words to heart, live a righteous life and do it by faith. Oh, and yes it is hard.