READ
23 And some one said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!’ 28 There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. 29 And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:23–29, RSV2CE)
REFLECT
Heaven has a narrow door. It is the road of walking in obedience to the commands of God. God is willing to give us grace to walk the road but we must love the commands that give life and strive to walk it in cooperation with that grace.
Many people think they are on the road because they know God loves them. But they are not walking in His commandments. They think they will get a pass. History of Israel is replete with them not getting a pass and going into exile.
Everyone coming to the closed door even say, Lord we walked with you and ate with you. But those people did not do His will or commands with the grace he was offering. They were doing their iniquity hoping for a pass because God loves them and knows their weakness.
God does know our weakness which is why He offers grace to live the commands. Again, we must choose to love and cooperate with that grace. If we don’t, we will be put out of the kingdom. God has given us what we need, we must want it.
RESOLUTION
I must fall in love with the commandments that lead to life knowing it is the way to heaven. I must understand God has given me all I need to obey, I must want to. I must understand God does love me but that does not give me a pass with sin. The only way to heaven is the road of the commandments. If I choose to walk another road I am not in the one road that leads home. It is I who choose. God has made it plain. God wants me to succeed. God loves me. God will not force me.
REST
Father, you have given me the map. Help me want to walk the narrow road that leads me home to you. Help me hate anything that tries to lead me away from the road. I am weak but you give grace, help me cooperate with it. Thank you for your love. Thank you for wanting me forever with you. I love you! Amen.
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