Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

16 April 2025

Reading From Luke 13:23-35

“Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”

He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’

“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’

“But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’”

—Luke 13:23-27

     Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through the Son.  Unfortunately, and heartbreakingly, there are billions of people who think they can make it to Heaven by doing good deeds here and there and following their own beliefs and opinions.  I think that this is what Jesus meant by many people “trying” to enter, but not being able to. 

It is the height of arrogance to think that we can make our own feeble way on our own terms to Heaven, a place prepared by the Supreme God of the Universe for those who love, follow and obey Him according to the plain and precious principles laid out in His Word the Bible. Jesus Christ is the Author, Perfector and Finisher of our faith, not me or anyone else. Full stop.

     The Holy Bible is available in most known languages on Planet Earth and is the best selling book of all time.  With the advent of the internet, the Scriptures and good, solid, balanced teaching of them is accessible to more people than at any time in human history.  A man or a woman is responsible for the truth they receive and once they hear it, the decision is theirs as to what to do about it. 

For those who hear the Good News of Jesus, believe, repent, confess and receive Him, they are adopted into the family of God and become His sons and daughters.  If we trust in Him and take Him at His Word, we can know without any doubt where our eternal destiny will be. Salvation is enjoyed by grace through faith; through a healthy, life-giving, reciprocal relationship with God the Father through God the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Those who reject Him will spend eternity outside of His Presence. They go there of their own accord.

“God, thank You for revealing the plan of salvation to us through Your Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth.  I pray that we would not only accept Your Gospel as true for ourselves, but that we would be intentional about sharing Your love and message of reconciliation with those around us in our daily lives.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things, Amen.”

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

—John 1:9-13