1318) We’ve spent the last 20 days studying 20 ways people in the last days will act and react. I think the number here is important.

When you were a child, and you were told something, it was one thing if you were told one time, more important if you’re told it again. If you were told three times, four times, five times…. you get the idea. God wants you to be very aware of the signs of the last days. He does not do this to scare you. Instead, he wants you to be prepared, just as a father would tell his child not to get into a car with a stranger.

After this list, Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:6-9 that some people will be gullible about the things of God, so the smart thing to do is know what the Bible says. Don’t take others’ word for it. Look for yourself. Ask questions. Ask God questions. He does not want anyone to perish or die without knowing him and of the gift of his son. (2 Peter 2:3)

As Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount, he points out there are two choices for people to make. He compares the choices to two gates, two trees and two foundations. The first choice in all three comparisons is to go the way everyone else is going. The gate is wide and welcoming, which makes it easy to go through. It’s easy to crowd around the fruit trees that have the juiciest looking pieces of fruit when it’s actually poison. It’s easy to make no effort and build on a foundation of sand that will easily be washed from under you.

Jesus says the narrow gate is the right choice because, even though it’s harder, it leads to a better life, here on earth and in the next world. Jesus said to stick with the best fruit and you’ll be able to identify what is good fruit and what is not, by a person’s actions and results. Finally, Jesus said the wise person makes the effort, climbs up and over the rock to build their foundation because they know this foundation will last.

Which gate, fruit and foundation do you choose? Remember, not to choose is to choose.