John 10:9–The Door into Heaven I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. How may we poor sinners be saved? So many of Christ’s parables deal with this vital subject. Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven and how men may enter it. Like the kingdoms of this world there is both a lawful and an unlawful way to enter. Let us be careful to learn from our Lord’s words the right way to enjoy a blessed eternity. When a person seeks entry into another country a careful check will be made of him at the entry point. Not everyone who asks for admission will be granted it. Certain credentials must be presented and checked and the man’s identity confirmed. The receiving nation has the right to set the standard for entry. Something is required of those who would enter the kingdom of heaven. What is it? We may summarise it in one word: righteousness. Perfect righteousness is needed to become a citizen of this kingdom. What a standard! Who can attain it? Jesus said to His disciples, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt.5:20). This is where the devil is so active. He would persuade men that something else will do. He would have them try other doors. He is busy when sinners hear the gospel and become concerned about their souls. Notice that when Jesus exhorted, “Enter ye in at the strait gate” He immediately warned, “Beware of false prophets” (Matt.7:13,14). The devil tries to convince us that “the broad way” is fine and will prove a more pleasant path to heaven. What doors do people try? Many try the door of good works. If gross and public sin has slain its thousands then ‘respectability’ has slain its tens of thousands. In Noah’s day it was just so. How were the masses living? What does Scripture say about their conduct? “They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage.” All quite lawful. But what happened to these people? “The flood came, and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:27). Their problem was the problem so common today. Men may live decent, upright lives – but they do so to the exclusion of God and His glory. Sincerity is not enough to get us to heaven. Others are more religiously-minded. They try the door of baptism. They believe that there is a power in the sacrament to make them ‘clean’. But water cannot wash away sins. The sign and seal of baptism should point us to the One who alone can purify our souls from sin. Only the blood of Jesus can blot out our transgressions. We need to be united to Him by the gracious work of His Spirit, creating faith in us. “According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Tit.3:5). Yet others try the door of church membership. They seem to believe that if only they can get their names on the membership roll and sit at the Lord’s table, then that will be enough. God will be pleased with them. But we must ask ourselves, Do I know the Lord? do I have communion with Christ? Again it is the significance of the sacrament that is the important thing. Only those who are members of Christ’s mystical body, the true church of God, shall ever sit down with Him at the marriage supper in heaven. How clear from the words of Jesus what the right way to heaven is! He says, I am the door.” As sinners we wonder if we have any hope, but coming to Him by repentance and faith we are clothed in His righteousness and to our delight the door to heaven opens to us! We find that the promise of the gospel is true and we are saved. We enjoy the full provision Christ has made for His people. The Bible now becomes a rich pasture as we feed upon our Saviour who is revealed there. We are blessed in Him with eternal life. Have we entered through this door? We must go through it while we have time. Do not be like those who tried too late, when “the door was shut” (Matt.25:10). Christ is coming. The day of our death is coming. Confess your sins to God and seek the Saviour now!