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


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