The Door

Not long ago, I had a conversation with a relative about God, salvation, and Heaven. I like to think most of my discussions regarding faith are a lovely balance between grace and truth. However, I found this was a conversation where the pendulum between truth and grace may have weighed more heavily toward truth. A work in progress, as they say.

Our conversation made me think of something a pastor once said in a sermon. He said, “The door is not exclusive, but it is specific.” He was speaking about Jesus as the way to the Father and the voices that may decry Christianity as limiting or a highly selective religion. 

While I do agree the door is specific, I would argue that it is also exclusive. The word “exclusive” can bring up a variety of different emotions and feelings in people—I have certainly felt the weight of the word in different contexts. “Exclusive” can feel like not belonging, being left out, or navigating unfair limitations to specific groups of people. It can be a challenging word, I get it. But stay with me. 

Let’s start with “specific.” 

One beautiful detail of God’s character that we may sometimes overlook is that He is clear and specific. In the Bible, you will find all you need to live a life that aligns with His will and order (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

When faced with a scenario containing multiple options or opinions, look to His Word for the answer. He doesn’t require us to guess or become a detective piecing together clues, nor are there various individual truths among us. There is one truth—His. 

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven “I am” statements furthering our understanding of Him. In John 10:7-9, we read: “So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (ESV). 

Jesus illustrates a picture of shepherding in His time. Sheep pens were made with one narrow gate where the shepherd would stand guard ensuring the sheep were kept safely inside. The shepherd was the door. 

Sheep are vulnerable animals and were completely reliant upon the protection of their shepherd who stood before this narrow gate leading to safe, green pastures. Jesus is our Shepherd standing before the narrow door leading to the kingdom of Heaven. 

The door is “exclusive.”

Let’s begin with some really good news. In the context of the kingdom of God, exclusive does not refer to “fancy country club- exclusive” where you are only able to be a member due to your status, position, income, connections, achievements, or reputation. 

Quite the opposite. The door is exclusive because Jesus is the only way to the Father. It is not by our works, it is not by our merit. It is by our faith in Him.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 ESV). Jesus isn’t just “one of the ways,” or “the best way;” He is “the way.” He is the door, the gate, the only way. 

This is why I believe the door is both specific and exclusive.

An important truth:

We all have access to Jesus and the opportunity to accept Him into our lives. Any person who calls on His name has the opportunity to turn to Him and be saved (Romans 10:12-13; Acts 10:43). No one is excluded from this. Not one.

“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:12-13 ESV). 

“So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:3-7 ESV).

We are all sheep who need our Shepherd. We are all sinners who need Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life!