READ
Luke 13:22-30
And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?”
And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”
REFLECT
Someone asks Jesus if only few are saved. Jesus answers yes. He says it is a narrow gate. People seek to enter but are unable to.
Why are they unable to? They want to enter. They stayed in his presence. They ate and drank with him. They listened to his teaching.
They can’t enter because they work iniquity. He does not know them because they are from the evil one. (Evil works iniquity)
The kingdom is for the righteous. How do you become righteous? You give your life to Jesus to transform your thoughts, words, and deeds. It’s not just Faith, it’s your entire being. Faith without works is DEAD faith. The works of righteousness are the works Jesus prepared for you to do and that you are to accomplish by Listening, Yielding to His Spirit, then Doing!
PRAY
Just because I seek to enter the kingdom does not mean I will gain entrance. Just because I want to does not mean I can. Just because I am in the presence of God does not mean I am in the kingdom. Just because I eat communion does not mean I am in the kingdom. Just because I read my Bible does not mean I am in the kingdom.
It is a narrow way. I must choose to forsake sin! I must choose to lose my life to Jesus. I must give him my entire self. Give my thoughts words and deeds to be transformed into his likeness. The Faith I have is in the Trust that God can remake me. But my part is to yield to his wisdom, strength, and grace to actually do what he commands. It’s his wisdom and power, it is not in me, but I do have to yield, surrender, submit, TRUST.
Jesus, I see I cannot enter the kingdom without your complete overhaul of my being. Please remake me into the new creation! I want to be with you forever. Help me forsake all sin and walk in your righteousness. Save me from myself. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment