The Gateway

“This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.” Psalm 118:20

I heard a pastor share a message and he used the example that marijuana is a gateway drug, meaning it alters your mind and can lead to seeking something more. I thought about it for a while and realized that many things in life are a gateway to harm and sin. Alcohol, food, prescription medications, money, pride, etc., can be a gateway to something else. Just like lust acted on can lead to sin, our thoughts can lead us down a path of worry, doubt and fear, right where the enemy can move in and isolate us.

The next morning, I still had the word gateway on my mind. Does this ever happen to you, where the Holy Spirit puts a word or person in your mind over and over again? When this happens to me, I know that God wants me to dig deeper and listen. I began searching the Bible and read the scripture, “Since we have been justified [just as if we have not sinned] through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).  Through faith we get peace with God through Jesus.

I saw in this scripture that Jesus is our gateway to God and peace. I saw the lovely picture in my mind of the open gate with Jesus, arms wide open, welcoming me to walk through the gate. I loved thinking about the positive gateway in my life which is Jesus.

The definition of gateway means an entrance or passage that may be closed by a gate, a means of access or entry to a place, and something that serves as an entrance or means of access. Jesus is our access to God. Only through Jesus can we find God. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).

God’s Word says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). And Jesus said, “I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved” (John 10:7-9).

I love when the Lord changes my thoughts through scripture, which always leads me to a better place. Will you let Jesus be your gateway today to God and His peace? Open the gate wide so He can come in and meet with you today.

Thank You, Jesus, that You are the gateway to God on the path that leads to life everlasting! Amen.