Do you know what a toll is? Maybe you have traveled on a toll road or crossed a toll bridge where you have to stop at a closed gate. You must pay a fee before the gate will open, and then you can drive through and continue on your way.
As we were driving on a toll road with many lanes of traffic, we came to a row of tollgates. Most cars had to stop and pay the fee. However, there was one open gate that had a sign over it that said, “PASSES ONLY,” and we drove right on through that open gate without even slowing down.
What made the difference? Since the authorities had provided a way of easing traffic by paying the toll in advance, it was simply that our driver had contacted them and paid the required fee ahead of time. They had given him a small box to stick on his windshield, and this small box was our “pass.” It beeped, and that beep told us that our car was allowed to pass through that open gate. We felt so privileged, and I wanted to announce to all the other cars, “Our toll has already been paid! ... You can apply for it too.”
The Lord Jesus said, “Not every one that [says to] Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that [does] the will of My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:2121Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)). What is it that will allow one person to enter heaven while another will be turned away? It is simply the fact that anyone who comes to God by the way He has provided will receive a “pass” to heaven. God knew that we are all sinners. He sent His beloved Son to die in our place, and all who truly accept the Lord Jesus as their very own Savior will be given the Holy Spirit to live in them—the proof of God’s ownership. They will find an open gate to heaven—they will not be turned away. God’s promise is sure: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no [way] cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
And the best part is that the invitation to “COME” is offered to everyone! You can get this “PASS” right now and announce to others that your fee has already been paid by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you want God’s “pass” to enter through the open gate to heaven, you must get it ahead of time—before you leave this world. Take the time right now to come to the Lord Jesus. Tell Him from your heart that you are sorry for your sins, and accept Him as your very own Savior. He will not turn you away from heaven’s gate.
ML-01/27/2019