Recognized At The Gate

I breathed a sight of relief and thanked God. I had just nervously passed through a gate manned by soldiers. I had to pass through another one to reach the mission where I was the principal. I had prayed that morning, “Lord, please help me carry this money safely.” In my bag, I had a large sum of money to pay the workers of the school. My heart pounded with fear as I approached the second gate.I saw many people standing with worried looks on their faces, waiting to go through the gate. The soldiers at the gate were checking people’s bags and taking whatever they wanted. They were questioning and harassing the travelers. As I slowly walked toward the gate, carrying my bag on my head, two armed soldiers rushed toward me. They pulled and shoved, hurrying me to the office of their commanding officer (CO). He was armed, and an AK-47 rifle was lying on his desk. Armed men and guns filled the room; every soldier in the room held a gun, and they all seemed ready to fire at any minute. I was so afraid and began to tremble. The two soldiers pulled me by my arms back into the hallway opposite the CO’s office, with the CO’s doors opened, and they began to question me. I did not want to give straight answers for fear they would take the money. They demanded that I open the bag. My trembling hands could not find the loose end of the bag. Suddenly, another soldier appeared. He asked me a few questions, and then said, “My man, take your bag and go! You are known.” I did not know that man, but I passed that gate without my bag being checked. Because someone recognized me, I passed through the gate safely.Many people have passed gates because they are known. Others have avoided gates by not traveling. Still others have avoided gates by taking some other routes. There is, however, a gate that all must pass through.That gate is God’s judgement seat. The Bible says, “It is appointed unto men [women included] once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). At that gate, everyone must be recognized by God to pass through. No friends or relatives can speak on your behalf. Each person must speak for himself/herself. The Bible says, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). After each man/woman has spoken, the Judge, God, will say to some, “Welcome, cross the gate and enter heaven.” And to some, He will say, “Depart from me, you are cursed” (see Matthew 25:31-46). They may begin to beg, but the Judge will say, “Certainly not! I don’t know you; your place is in the burning lake of fire” (see Matthew 25:12). The good news is, my friend, you don’t have to hear God say, “I don’t know you.” God loves you and has made a way for you to be recognized at His gate. That way is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, God will recognize you at His gate (at His judgment seat). So, turn from your sinful and wicked ways. Bow your head in prayer, confess your sins to God and ask Jesus to come into your heart today. Receive Him by faith into your heart and submit to His lordship. If you do, you will not come into judgement but will pass from death to life (John 5:24). Sam Kwesi Jackson Note: This tract is based on a true story of the author’s personal experience with rebel soldiers during the Liberian civil war 1990-2003.