Thieves And Robbers
By David J. Stewart | July
2007 | Click for background music in new
window (MIDI)
John 10:1, “Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into
the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a
robber.”
The
world is filled with thieves and robbers, who are attempting to sneak into
Heaven "some other way.” Jesus plainly stated that He alone
is the DOOR into Heaven in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any
man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” There is ONLY one way into Heaven—through the Lord Jesus Christ!
For anyone to attempt entrance into Heaven by
some other means is an illegal entry. Roman Catholics foolishly trust
in their manmade religion to save them (Romans 10:3-4). Catholics have
been wrongfully taught to trust in Mary, their own good works, and the
sacraments of the Catholic Church for salvation. God calls them
thieves and robbers! The Door to Heaven is wide open, freely available
to all who will come by way of the cross of Jesus Christ. Catholics
are relying upon their religion to save them (Mark 7:6-13); but Jesus is the
only Mediator (1st Timothy 2:5). No Catholic priest can forgive your
sins. No ceremony can forgive your sins. Only He who bares the
nail-scared hands and feet can forgive your sins. Only He who wore a
crown of thorns upon His brow can forgive your sins. This picture
below, drawn by my youngest daughter many years ago, accurately depicts John 10:1...
“Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the
sheepfold,
but climbeth up some other way, the same is a
thief and a robber.” —John 10:1
There are MANY thieves and robbers in the world
today, who are trying to illegally enter Heaven. There is only one
way to Heaven—God's way—which is by faith in Jesus Christ alone (John
14:6). Anyone who ADDS self-righteousness to faith is going to
Hellfire, because genuine faith EXCLUDES all else. Many religions
today teach the damnable heresy of
Baptismal
Regeneration, i.e., the false doctrine that a person MUST be water
baptized to be saved. Many religions require good works of people in order
to get to Heaven; BUT, Romans 4:5 states... “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly,
his
faith is counted for righteousness.”
Are you a thief or a robber? Have you
been trying to get to Heaven some OTHER WAY, i.e., other than Jesus
Christ alone? Acts 4:10-12 plainly states... “Be it known unto you
all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ
of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by
him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was
set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under
heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The Word of
God couldn't be any clearer.
So many people today have their own way of
doing things, and falsely think God is going to pardon them on Judgment Day. Think again! Cain was very sincere, but God refused his grain offering
(Genesis 4:5). In Matthew 7:21-23 we read about some very sincere
religious folks, but God rejected their professed goodness and religious
commitment. Many people have a problem being told what to do. By
nature, our rebellious sin-nature is selfish, and desires to do things it's
own way. This is why most religious people are going to Hell—because
they want a part in their own salvation—whether it be performing good
works, forsaking their own sins, or being a faithful church member in a
certain denomination. What most people FAIL to realize is that
salvation is 100% of God, and not of man at all. Matthew 6:33 states...
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.” If you want to go
to Heaven, then you need HIS
RIGHTEOUSNESS! Self-righteousness is a guaranteed road to
Hellfire.
Judaism is of the Devil. Lutheranism is of the Devil. Seventh-Day Adventism is of
the Devil. Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses are of the
Devil. Islam is of the Devil. Catholicism is of
the Devil. The Church of Christ is of the Devil. United Churches of Christ are of the Devil. The
Charismatic
Movement is of the Devil. The Church of England is of the
Devil. These are all thieves and robbers, who are attempting to sneak
into Heaven by SOME OTHER WAY (John 10:1).
You don't need to attempt to break into Heaven,
by sneaking over a wall as a thief, or digging a tunnel underneath like some
robber. The Door is wide open, a free gift if you'll receive it, paid
for by the precious blood of Christ Jesus (1st Peter 1:18,19). Jesus
Christ IS THE DOOR (John 10:9). Yes, there are many thieves and
robbers today, who are seeking to enter Heaven apart from faith ALONE in
Jesus Christ. Tragically, they will one day be in horror when they are
pronounced GUILTY and then cast into the Lake of Fire forever.
“In flaming fire taking
vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”
—2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9
