When God Says …
“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (Luke 13:23-24 KJV).
These passages deal on our Lord’s interaction in one of His teachings in the cities and villages He passed through on His way to Jerusalem. A man raised a question whether only a few will be saved. This is such a revealing question, that carries concern for many people’s destiny. This sends a signal of warning for those who are still sitting on the fence of unbelief whose fates are drawing away from the Kingdom of God. As the Lord Jesus responds with instruction to enter the straight or narrow gate, reveals the difficulty and hindrance of entering it.
The “straight gate” refers to a restricted entrance representing the singular path to the Father and salvation into the kingdom of God. The direction to enter the "narrow door," is not a call to work for salvation through intense self effort, but as a call to abandon self-endeavor and rely entirely on the Lord’s finished work. To "strive" highlights the struggle to abandon humanity’s tendency towards self effort, and release from shackles of religion and worldly ways to able to turn around and focus on our Lord Jesus Christ to rest in His love. Only a few enter this gate due to religious and worldly bagages, as shown by the religious leaders of the day that the Lord Jesus rebukes harshly for their hypocrisy.
Hence, this stirs us to realize that only by faith in Christ Jesus our Lord, rather than human works, ensures you and I to enter the Kingdom of God by grace. Let us, therefore, be reminded always by His words to Apostle Thomas, the Lord “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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