As Barnhouse spoke of the cross he said, “Imagine that the cross is a door or that it has a door in it. All you are asked to do is to go through. On one side, the side facing you, there is an invitation; ‘Whoever will may come.’ You stand there with your sin upon you and wonder if you should enter or not. Finally you do, and as you do the burden of your sin drops away. You are safe and free. Joyfully you then turn around and see written on the backside of the cross, through which you have just now entered, the words: ‘Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.'”

Barnhouse invited those who were listening to enter.

The woman later said that it was the first time in her life she had really understood what  it meant to be a Christian and that, in understanding it, she had believed. She believed right there–in that church at that moment. She entered the door. Moreover, her life then bore witness to the fact that a  great change had occurred  and that she was God’s child. I am certain of the facts of my story because that woman is my mother.

Jesus said, “Whoever enters through me will be saved” (John 10:9). That includes you, and it refers to something that can take place now. If you have not yet trusted Jesus, you can trust Him now. Today is the day of salvation.

 

James Montgomery Boice

The Parables of Jesus