Double-Checking Gates

            I was trained that a gate had been hung to be closed. If a person went through a gate, that individual should ensure the gate be closed. Gates had a purpose.

Closed Gate with Big Bend Road visible

            As a child, our large chicken flock must be protected by the fence around their chicken yard with one gate that could never be left open. Angie, my sister, as a toddler liked to go with Dad to “slop” the hogs kept for butchering, but recalled being strongly admonished by him to never, ever try to go in with the two hogs. Closed gates in the chain-link fence encircling our yard provided a safe place for Angie who was an adventuresome little one. I never remember having to be taught our cattle herd’s security would be compromised with only one gate left ajar.

A secure set of gates

            About two months ago, I found myself with at least three gates open. As I completed the chores late that afternoon, I kept reminding myself to “close the gates.” Many times, Mother quoted out of context “The thief cometh not, but for to steal…” from John 10:10. This was code for Shut the gates and lock doors if they can be locked.

            As I sought diligently to secure each gate before returning to the house as the winter day ended, I recalled Peter’s words written to the scattered believers because of persecution, economic difficulties, and food insecurity.

Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin];  2 Peter 1:10

I chose purposefully The Amplified Bible because the first time I saw an Amplified New Testament it was the one my grandma, Gladys Rainey Smith, used and treasured. She valued the additional clarification of the original language.

            Peter reminded these believers suffering for their faith that God had called and chose them. As spiritual fruit appeared in the lives of these persecuted followers of Jesus, they understood only His Spirit could produce within them this type of fruit. Peter reminded them the fruit itself served as proof to them of their genuine relationship with their Savior as well as to all who observed their lives during this stressful season of trials.

            Jesus had taught Peter during the three years they were together on earth this truth from John 10:9, “I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved…” Finally, early in His ministry Jesus taught in what has been called the Sermon on the Mount, these sobering truths about the two gates in Matthew 7:13-14:

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it. 

             Increasingly, I hear comments about the offensiveness of the name of Jesus. Jesus is the gate to abundant life that begins here on earth and is everlasting. Just as I double-check the gates on the farm, may each of us verify that personal love relationship that the Lord called us into with Him. At the close of each day, may we point to confirming evidence of how we saw Him work in our lives that day. What security to experience the God of the Bible at work in our day-to-day activities and rest in the validation of our relationship with Jesus!