Complete English translation
Jesus Reveals the Father's Love
Jesus described God not as a cruel and punitive figure, but as a Father who is full of compassion, patience, and longing to restore His children. In His teachings and parables, Jesus showed how the Father saw people who were lost in sin and took the initiative to save them.
1. Father Sees Us Towards Destruction and Acts with Love
"For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost." (Luke 19:10)
Man is on the road to destruction because of sin. But the Father did not remain silent—He provided the way of salvation by sacrificing what was most precious to Him:
"For God's love for the world is so great that He has given His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
"However, God shows His love for us, because Christ died for us, when we were still sinners." (Romans 5:8)
Allah doesn't just watch from afar—He intervenes directly to save us, even at a high price.
2. Father is Patient and Does Not Want Anyone to Perish
"God does not neglect to keep His promise, as some people consider to be negligent, but He is patient with you, because He wants no one to perish, but that all people turn and repent." (2 Peter 3:9)
Father is not like the gods of the world who are quick to punish. He delayed His judgment not because of weakness, but because of love—giving everyone a chance to repent.
3. Father Runs to Embrace the Repentant Son
"When the child was still far away, his father had seen him, and his heart was moved by compassion. His father ran to get him, then hugged and kissed him." (Luke 15:20)
In the Parable of the Lost Son, Jesus shows the Father's heart that longs to recover:
The son wasted his inheritance, but when he returned, the Father did not punish him.
Father ran over and hugged him—no mistakes were counted.
He celebrated his son's return with joy, not with a reprimand.
Jesus revealed the truth that God is not a person who waits to punish, but a Father who rejoices in forgiving and restoring His children.
However, an important question arises:
If God is so loving and wants to save everyone, why did Jesus say that the door of salvation is narrow and difficult to enter?
Shouldn't the loving Father make salvation easy for everyone?
Why is the Safety Door Narrow?
God wants everyone to be saved (2 Peter 3:9), but why did Jesus say that the door to life is narrow and difficult to enter?
"Fight to get in through that cramped door! For I say to you: Many will try to enter, but will not be able to." (Luke 13:24)
Did God Make It Difficult? No, He Actually Made It Easy
Salvation is not the result of human effort, but a gift from God:
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your whole household." (Acts of the Apostles 16:31)
"For by grace you are saved by faith; it is not the result of your efforts, but the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
God does not ask for perfection or heavy rituals—He only asks us to trust in Jesus.
The Problem is Not with Allah, But with Us
If salvation is only through faith, why did Jesus say the door was narrow? The answer is in the human heart itself.
1. The World Considers Salvation Must Be Achieved With Good Deeds
Many people think that going to heaven is enough to:
Be a good person.
Doing more good than evil.
Following religious traditions.
But Jesus said:
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, but through Me." (John 14:6)
Salvation through faith alone sounds too easy, so many people reject it because they want to get it with their own efforts.
2. Narrow Doors Require Us to Surrender to God
"Everyone who wants to follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross every day and follow Me." (Luke 9:23)
Faith in Jesus means giving control of our lives to Him. But this is difficult because:
Arrogance refuses to humble oneself before God.
The desire to be independent makes it difficult for us to lean on Jesus.
Sin prevents us from fully submitting to God.
Many people refused to enter through the narrow door because they did not want to give up control of their lives to Jesus.
3. Many Tried to Enter, But in the Wrong Way
Jesus warned that many people would try to get in, but fail:
"After the host gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside and knock on the door saying: Lord, open the door for us! But He will say: I don't know where you come from." (Luke 13:25)
"Then you will say: We have eaten and drunk before You and You have taught in our ways. But He will say: I do not know where you come from, get away from Me, you who do evil!" (Luke 13:26-27)
They tried to enter, but failed because they didn't really know Jesus:
They were close to Jesus, but had no personal relationship.
They heard His teachings, but did not really believe.
They thought it was enough to know Jesus, without living in faith in Him.
Salvation is not about knowing about Jesus, but truly believing in Him.
"Because this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life." (John 6:40)
Conclusion: Allah Does Not Make It Difficult, We Are The Ones Who Make It Difficult
God makes the way of salvation simple: Believe in Jesus. But humans often reject it because they are trapped in arrogance, independence, or worldly way of thinking.
The narrow door is not difficult to enter—it's just that few are willing to free themselves from ego and sin to truly surrender to God.
Salvation is the Beginning: Living in the Fullness of God's Kingdom
Salvation is a gift from God, given for free to everyone who believes in Jesus. However, salvation is not the ultimate goal, but the beginning of the journey to a full life in His Kingdom.
"Thieves come only to steal, kill, and destroy; I come, so that they may have life, and have it in abundance." (John 10:10)
Jesus is not only talking about eternal life in the future—He teaches that the Kingdom of God is already present in our midst:
"The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the Gospel!" (Mark 1:15)
How do we accept this full life and walk in the life of the Kingdom?
1. Sermon on the Hill: Guidelines for Living in the Kingdom
Jesus gave the principles of Kingdom life in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). He describes the life that:
Filled with righteousness (Matthew 5:6)
Based on humility, compassion, and purity of heart (Matthew 5:3-12)
Free from worries and centered on the will of God (Matthew 6:25-33)
Built on the basis of obedience (Matthew 7:24-27)
Life is not about trying to get salvation—Jesus has redeemed us. Instead, it is about how we live as children of the Kingdom, enjoying the joy, peace, and power that God provides.
2. Narrow Road To Life, Wide Road To Destruction
Jesus gave a firm warning about our life choices:
"Enter through that narrow door, because the door is wide and the road to destruction is wide, and many people enter through it. Because the door is narrow and the road to life is narrow, and few people find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
Note: Jesus did not say that the wide road leads to death (death/thanatos), but to destruction (destruction/apóleia). What does it mean?
Death means eternal separation from God (spiritual death).
Destruction means destruction, suffering, and the result of living beyond God's wisdom.
Even if someone has been saved, the wrong choice of life can still bring destruction:
Believers who choose greed will experience emptiness and broken relationships.
Believers who ignore God's wisdom in purity may experience moral destruction and inner wounds.
Believers who refuse to forgive will live in bitterness and anxiety.
Salvation guarantees eternal life, but the quality of life in this world is determined by the choices we make.
3. The Father Gives Helpers: The Holy Spirit
Allah knows that going through a narrow path is not an easy thing. Therefore, He does not leave us to fight alone. Instead, He sends the Holy Spirit as our Helper, Guide, and Teacher:
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever." (John 14:16)
"But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will lead you into all truth." (John 16:13)
Holy Spirit:
Teaches how to live in holiness (John 14:26).
Realize when we go astray (John 16:8).
Enables us to carry out God's will (Acts of the Apostles 1:8).
Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will struggle alone. But if we obey Him, we will experience a full life in the Kingdom of God—living in joy, peace, and truth in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
Conclusion: The Gift of Salvation and Fullness of Life
Salvation is a gift from God, and what He has given will not be taken back. God's Word confirms this truth:
"Because God does not regret His grace and call." (Romans 11:29)
When we receive eternal life through faith in Jesus, salvation is certain and guaranteed, not dependent on our efforts or actions.
Good Deeds and the Law Can't Save
Jesus emphasized that obedience to the law alone is not enough to obtain salvation. When a rich young man asked how to obtain eternal life, Jesus showed that human effort would never be enough:
"For humans this is impossible, but for God everything is possible." (Matthew 19:26)
No amount of good deeds, religious rituals, or obedience to the law can produce salvation—it is only possible because of God's grace.
Live in the Fullness that God Has Provided
Now, having been saved, we are called to enjoy the fullness of life that the Father has prepared for us:
A life led by the Holy Spirit.
A life that runs in the wisdom of the Kingdom of God.
A life free from the destruction of sin, full of peace, and joy.
As Jesus said:
"I have come, that they may have life, and have it in abundance." (John 10:10)
Let us walk in an abundant life, trust God's grace, follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and enjoy the Father's love that surpasses everything we can imagine.