Few Are Those Who Find It

I thought I knew what Christianity meant and was very faithful to a well-rounded Christian lifestyle for many years. About five years ago, however, I realized that I was not in the “few who find it” after all. People who know me are generally surprised that I believe this. Likewise, I don’t necessarily have any reason to believe that people with whom I am familiar may not be in the few. But we can all have hidden sin habits or attitudes of heart to which we are insensitive and unrepentant. Or possibly we are harboring bitterness and/or unforgiveness towards others. There may be any number of “minor” issues that we have not totally surrendered to God. Over time they become our way of living, contrary to His ways.

You know the love that you have for God. You know very well the numerous changes that have taken place in your heart. You are aware of the many times that you have selflessly chosen His ways over yours, the times that you have forgiven when you have been terribly wronged, and the times that you have given sacrificially to someone in need. You know the heart that you have for the lost, the answered prayers, the times that He has spoken words to you, and probably a long list of very beautiful characteristics—not to mention personal encounters with God. It all seems to be convincing evidence of your complete devotion to Him, and it would be hard to fathom that you may not be in the few.

Our change into Godly ways takes place over time. Baby Christian, you are at a different place in your walk with the Lord than is a long-time believer. He is merciful and considers your infancy. Be careful not to think that the temptations themselves are sin. Long-time Christians, you may be in consistent, ongoing battles against difficulties and strongholds that are taking a while to overcome. Praise God for your faithful fight and sincere heart to resist. As you continue in this mode you are staying in the fight to win, and you are Heaven bound. Your deliverance will be realized. To all Christians, He knows where we stand on our ungodly practices and what we choose to do about them. For me personally, I had some wrong attitudes that occupied a part of my heart. I was not resisting them. For that reason it was my willful ongoing practice. Looking back, I can see what happened, but not when. It was very subtle and deceiving.

I have read the particular Scriptures mentioned in this book many, many times for decades, but missed some truths and warnings as it relates to eternal salvation. None of us will understand or apply all of His Word as we read the entire Bible just once or twice. Even after multiple times, we can still remain blinded as I was. But we cannot miss out on God’s clear non-negotiable mandatory set of instructions that qualify salvation.

Although I do believe that the average Christian would think that they are not in need of this book, I strongly encourage everyone to read it prayerfully for any possible personal oversights. Please stand open before our very loving Father, and humbly ask Him for revelations. The opening verse should make an impact. “Few” means “hardly any”.

A few years ago I read a book about a man who died and went to Heaven for a few hours before God miraculously restored life to his corpse. He described in detail the scenery and activities that he saw, but toward the end of the book there was a very short chapter on the torments of hell.

When I told one of my sisters about a certain mention in the book, she wanted to read it. Sylvia searched the internet for the author and was linked to an unrelated site that referenced hell. There are numerous accounts of God’s taking people there and bringing them back to warn us of its reality so that we will be ready for His return.

What was shocking was that there were many Christians in hell! We both agreed that the reasons given were very common to believers today, and before long we felt that we were on our way there ourselves. That resulted in a fast-paced journey to redirect us to the right path and to discern how to stay there.

We began to clearly see the warnings throughout the Bible. Sylvia continued to search intently, but I went through brief periods of being a little lax.

Do you think that it is possible for Christians to fall short of Heaven, even after they sincerely and consistently served God for years up until their time of death? Seriously consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:22–23 as a revelation and warning:

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ (23) “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

They were obedient to doing God’s will in many ways, but they also “practiced lawlessness” routinely. All the while He continued to use them in ministry. They were performing miracles in the name of Jesus, but they did not go to Heaven. According to this verse their part in carrying out His powerful signs and wonders did not mean that their hearts were right with God. Nor was it a sign that they would be in Heaven.

We must be careful not to interpret a move of God in our lives as validation that we are in right-standing with Him neither. Romans 11:29 says that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable”. They are permanent. Once given they can still operate in a person with an unclean heart. Rather than turn His back on anyone, God waits our entire lifetime for us to finally commit to true salvation. He is faithful.

To expound on it a little further, God’s goodness toward us may not have anything to do with confirming that we are right with Him. There are times that it is geared to rescuing us from hell, by leading us to a repentant lifestyle that will save us from that place. Let’s look at Romans 2:4 again:

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?