One Way Studies

Walls and Gates – Uncommon Common Sense

Rev. Sudha Mehta ©

John 10: 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.(ESV)

This time I have chosen to give a Biblical argument for National Boundaries, Walls and Gates.

Argument seems to favor compassion in that Jesus never asked anyone’s race or color or ethnicity when He said:

Matthew 11: 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”(ESV)

It is true. An American comedian who is a relatively new convert made this argument quoting this verse recently. I do not know whether he was going for political points or trying to gain new followers or whether he had another agenda. I do know that many listen to such remarks and believe it to be “the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Comments/beliefs like this then lead to masses of people claiming the Bible calls for open borders, and entry without restraint of any kind.

The commonsense counter argument would be simply to point out what any child could understand about every boundary placement that we have used in the west and all over the world.

We all have boundaries we don’t want others to cross without permission starting with personal boundaries we teach even our children. Our clothing is the very first boundary. God Himself provided that with an animal skin for Adam and Eve. We may beautify and like style but we use clothing to cover what should be covered from the eyes and touch of others.

We have walls around our dwellings no matter big or small. It may be a hut or a palace but we have the basic four walls with a door for access and exit. We do not expect anyone to breach that door or window without permission. A breach is recognized as a trespass often with ill intent. Penalties are imposed on those who breach these boundaries in every society. Where there is no penalty there is disorder and lawlessness.

History all across the globe provides evidence in the ruins of archaeology revealing cities, forts and palaces that had outer high walls for protection against invaders. Invaders were those that entered with malice by breaching the walls someway. The walls had towers manned by soldiers appointed to be watchmen whose job it was to warn, blow the trumpet and announce any hostile movement outside the gates. The city gates were open during the day for business and travelers but even so they was guarded. As evening approached the gates were closed and the people inside knew they were safe because the watchman was on duty.

Those that lived outside the city gates were never as safe as those inside.

When nations rose and fell the invading kings understood they had to breach the walls, get inside and takeover the city. This always meant bloodshed, mayhem and chaos but this was the only way to take over the enemy’s territory. Vast empires were built and fell this way.

Jesus arrived in such a climate two thousand years ago. Even though the land He came to was Israel, it was not independent. It was occupied territory of Rome which was by then a vast Empire.

Jesus came leaving His divinity behind as 100 percent man. He was here not to use His divine powers, rather His challenge was to live as 100 percent human and to fulfill the Law and every Prophecy of the Old Testament made about His first coming and to do it all without committing a single sin.

So, when Jesus said “ come unto me” He in no way or form addressing the issues of National borders. In this world He was not in a position to make those decisions. He said His Kingdom was not of this world. He was not “In charge” here. He didn’t hold office, He wasn’t king, ruler or even a High priest. The invitation was to eternal life in His kingdom. Not the Roman Kingdom.

His call was one that crossed into the supernatural.

John 18: 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (ESV)

Jesus also said in His kingdom the rules were different. There was only one way to enter. Belief in Him. Faith that He was the Messiah, and that in His Kingdom He had power to forgive and the power to receive.

John 3: 16“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.(ESV)

So, was He saying come one come all without any rules at all? No He wasn’t. He made it clear Heaven has rules and boundaries. All were welcome and He wanted everyone to be there providing they came in the right way.

As the Son of God, He made it clear God had given him all authority and no one could pass through the gates of heaven except by the Narrow Gate. He Himself was the Gate. Your passport is your confession of Faith in Him. True and sincere faith requires a penitent heart. A heart that recognizes wrongdoing and understands that sins must be forgiven before entering the Kingdom.

Luke 5: 32 “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”(ESV)

2 Corinthians 7: 10For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.(ESV)

How often have you heard people say they are good people so they should have automatic acceptance into heaven. But the Bible says:

1 John 1:  8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.(ESV)

Likewise the millions that have entered the country outside of proper channels without legal permission, bypassing legal entry points and without proper paperwork are presented as law abiding people that should face no penalties. Well, God says in His kingdom this doesn’t work.

John 10: 1“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. (ESV)

Unlawful entry IS breaking the Law and calls for penalties.

He cannot be fooled, no fake passports allowed, neither are any other gods honored.

Galatians 6:  7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.(ESV)

You can’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven by proclaiming your faith in a god of your own choice, only One Name works… Jesus!

Once in the Kingdom, every citizen of Heaven has permanent residency status. Your passport or citizenship can not be revoked. Your residency gives you the right to be called the child of God, and your home is provided by Him.

John 6:  37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.(ESV)

John 10: 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30I and the Father are one.”(ESV)

welcome-in-heaven-photo-from-pinterest.jpg

All this is not to say you cannot break fellowship or lose blessing, it is to say a rebel/prodigal child of God is still still His child. You are governed by His rules. Here on earth you expect even as a legal citizen to be held accountable to the laws of the land, so why would you expect Heaven to do less. He has rules, you break them, you get held accountable. Doesn’t mean you get thrown in hell, but you will face His discipline.

Hebrews 12: 7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (ESV)

No chain migration is allowed in the Kingdom. You cannot be Grandfathered in. Just because you have entry, doesn’t mean your children or your spouse or parents can come in automatically. Everyone has to follow the same procedure. Apply by faith with a penitent heart and your passport is immediately issued. No delays, no waiting for months for approval. Instantly! But each passport is only good for the individual who applies by faith.

Entry is free, there is no fee and no way to buy your way in. No bribes can be made. No lighting candles, rosary, or giving any amount to a priest/ church/ organization/ or even charity will do. Saying you have been a good person will not cut it at this Door. Once in the kingdom you will enjoy start enjoying the benefits of that your eternal life. While some things won’t come while you are in this earthly body and realm, other changes will begin right away.

You can rest assured you will live forever in heaven in a new body which is just like Jesus’s Body. You will no longer know any pain, nor see a need for tears. There will be no sickness. In heaven there is no debt or tax collector, and bills don’t come due. There is peace, love, joy, happiness, contentment and everything good.

1 Corinthians 15: 53For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”(ESV)

No one gets to escape death. Sad, I know! But those are the rules. You live as long as He decides, It is entirely His call, not yours. Cutting it short by self decision is not an option.

I find just knowing where I am going is exciting and reason enough that until He calls me home I am okay with living this life to the fullest on earth. None of us are exempt from trials whether we have our passport to heaven or not, but in those trying times we can and must retain an attitude of gratitude.

He has given us His written Word to give us direction on how we should live until He calls us home. When you get your passport you should come to realize you are no longer a citizen of this world truly, your true citizenship is now of Heaven. As such you are a temporary resident here. Call it an Ambassador! You no longer belong to this World, so understand that you are called to live differently, you are His child.

Philippians 3:  20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,(ESV)

When I was young life here on earth seemed eternal, now after many decades have passed so quickly I see differently.

Job 14: 5Since his days are determined,
and the number of his months is with you,
and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass,(ESV)

To summarize, Heaven has rules. When Jesus gave an invitation to all to come to Him, it was to ALL. However it was an invitation to His eternal kingdom where He was and is King forever. Here even He was governed by the rules of the Roman kingdom. That’s why He paid taxes. You should also.

Heaven’s Kingdom has rules of entry. You may not see a wall, but that doesn’t mean you can enter uninvited. There is a Door. Jesus is His Name. You can not enter any other way.

John 10: 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.(ESV)

You need a passport called Faith. There are no other gods that are on the approved list. No other Faith is acceptable. While race, color or ethnicity do not matter a whit, He checks every passport and you cannot fool Him.

If Heaven has entry rules and He made the Nations why would He ask any Nation to have open borders? If He expects us to live by the rules, why would He hold any non-citizen to “no rules” or tell any Nation to not have accountability for laws of entry being broken. It is irresponsible to derive a meaning from any verse in the Bible which He did not intend.

Riches cannot pay your way in, poverty cannot keep you out. Horrible circumstances, abuse, drugs, alcoholism, criminal background matters not, you are treated with the same respect as the most righteous, honorable, charitable, loving person. There is no favoritism with Him. Once you have your passport and have entered, all that matters is that you turn from all the wrong you have done in your life and walk now according to His rules. Really! Why wouldn’t you? Why wouldn’t you be filled with gratitude if your life is so changed and you become NEW from the inside out!
I know I am!!

Some might say they object to His rules. Well, you make rules for your house as you desire. Within your walls you want your rules applied…and you aren’t even God! Why would you expect Him to bend His rules or simply do away with them to accommodate you? Is He accountable to you?? That kind of arrogance doesn’t get you into His kingdom, it keeps you out.

If you find me harsh or judgmental let me assure you I have had times of difficulty understanding some things myself. I have wanted to disagree many a time with Him myself. I have even gone as far as to say I would do things differently. But then I am reminded of His Sovereignty and my servanthood. I am reminded that He is God and I am not. I have walked away sometimes thinking it is a good thing He doesn’t ask my opinion on matters relating to the governance of this world. I am sure if He did, and if He took my advice there would be a whole lot less people in the world today. He would find me a lot less forgiving, and a lot more happy with lightning rods and more.

I see that that He is a lot more longsuffering and willing to extend grace and mercy than I am. And He has a lot more enemies than I do. His Name gets blasphemed a lot more than mine ever could. Even after the Cross He continues to forgive and give chance after chance to so many who spit on Him. His mercy allows forgiveness to the worst of the worst, and the invitation for repentance and forgiveness remains open. I know I couldn’t do that.

So, think what you will, as for me and my house we will serve Him always and recognize and be grateful for His mercy upon us.

I am looking forward to that spending eternity with Him, free of sin, tears and suffering. I hope you will be of the same mind as you give it thought.

So quit using the Bible erroneously and learn to think about what you say. Don’t make assertions and speak for Him if you don’t know much. Learn first and then open your mouth. Only a fool speaks first and thinks after. Don’t be a fool, there is no reward in that. I know that from experience! Pray for wisdom as you learn your Bible then you will have the knowledge and understanding and you will help bring people to the truth.