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Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #11502 is a reply to message #11289]

Sun, 08 February 2015 13:05

Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana

Senior Member

Quote:

Luke 13:22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?”

And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 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,’ 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 you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 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. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”

This sounds like a good question. Lord are there few who are saved? Jesus tells this man to Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Will this is interesting because "many people" will be seeking to enter but will not be able. Who is this many?

I think Jesus tells us in verse 27, when He states: Depart from me you workers of iniquity.

What is iniquity?

noun, plural iniquities.
1.
gross injustice or wickedness.
2.
a violation of right or duty; wicked act; sin.

Many today seek to enter in the narrow gate but justify sin and look the other way, Jesus will one day say, Depart from me I never knew you. Many today are opening their doors to fornication, adultery, sodomy and then making excuses why they allow these people in their congregations.

One more thing Jesus told His disciple to "strive" to enter in.

What is it to strive?

Strive: verb (used without object),
1.
to exert oneself vigorously; try hard:
He strove to make himself understood.
2.
to make strenuous efforts toward any goal:
to strive for success.
3.
to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict; compete.
4.
to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance:
to strive against fate.

To Strive is to put forth an effort at the goal you have set before you.

I don't think Jesus minced words when talking about the Kingdom of God. With everything moving quickly on the world scene its easy to fall into the world's agenda and follow the crowds. Who wants to be different or the odd ball in the crowd?

Let us all, "always" remember that the day of the Lord is approaching quickly. Its closer then what we realize. Even so Come quickly Lord Jesus.

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