Luke 13:23-24 “And someone said to HIM, “LORD, will those who are saved be few?” And HE said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”
Returned to The LIGHT!
The LORD JESUS CHRIST knows your name.
Many also know HIS…yet fewer than forecast.
For HE sovereignly calls to HIS own throughout Time…
to return to their SHEPHERD and KING.
Still as sheep gone astray, they continue…
in this Fold known as Life. Wandering, circling — as such.
Yet The FATHER still calls through the Door of HIS Son!
Come! Return to ME, Child Beloved!
So as you race round Life’s surroundings, restraining…
ONE gate holds the answer, though narrow it be!
Tis The SAVIOUR! Love’s Source WHO cries out to HIS Lambs!
Come! Return to ME, Children Beloved!
Hence! Turn back now from running as though without Hope!
Quickly cast off your chase of all else except CHRIST!
Hasten with zeal to HIS arms till o’ercome becomes every desire…to leave!
As HIServant again reminded to cease from running and just rest in HIS arms of Love,
Whitney
Devotional: Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many go in there: Because straight is the gate, and narrow the way, which leads unto life, and few there are that find it.”
This same instruction is given to us twice in HIS WORD. Just as HE would make a saying sure through repetition, I.e. “Verily, verily…or “Truly, truly…” so we are certain of HIS heart on this matter.
Now far too many take the word “strive” to mean make every effort in your own strength. I don’t even believe that this is some reference verse supporting a works-based salvation message. Not at all!
“Strive” pr “Struggle” is the Hebrew word “Ἀγωνίζεσθε” or for us in a more recognizable form…“agonizesthe”.
What word do you suppose we get from it? Agonize. So what is the challenge? The battle is against the heretical and errant belief that our works must be added to the Cross to enter Heaven.
It’s a dire and intense struggle because our flesh craves the Law. Why? Because only with the Law can one say, “I’m a better Christian than you.” Grace, seen clearly in Romans 2:11.
“There is no respect of persons with GOD.” Combine this truth with James 2:10. “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.”
So Ephesians 2:8 reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of GOD.”
Glory! HIS gate is narrow and straight. In fact, it’s so constraining that you can’t take anything else through. Not good works, not good intentions, not anything! As I wrote yesterday, “JUST CHRIST”, it’s all about and only about HIS finished work which we can rest in!
So “agonize” with all diligence to put off any Pride and all Credit for HIM grafting you into HIS family. Discard any accolades for self that you heard HIS voice! Remember the Pharisees “heard” CHRIST speak but could not understand HIS message of Grace.
John 8:43-44 “Why do you not understand MY speech? Because you are not able to listen to MY word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
So the preaching of the Cross is foolishness to those who either are not HIS or…who ARE HIS but are running around the sheep pen until the last minute…surrendering to the self interest of a works-based belief.
I’ve often quoted Leviticus 27:32 where the sheep and the SHEPHERD example I feel is best seen, best illustrated.
But what the shepherd would do is put all the lambs in a pen, a sheep fold. Then, with just one, small and narrow gate, he’d put the mothers of the lambs outside the pen. They’d then call to their offspring.
The only way to get to GOD the FATHER is through CHRIST the SON. GOD gave women a mother’s heart so here we have the FATHER’s heart drawing HIS own…back to HIMself!
NKJV 1 Peter 2:25 “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
GNT 1 Peter 2:25 “You were like sheep that had lost their way, but now you have been brought back to follow the Shepherd and Keeper of your souls.”
I treasure the GNT version because we, as examples of sheep which are not considered a smart animal by ANY means…
…we have been brought back to HIM by HIS constant call which tugs endlessly at our hearts!
Remember! The prodigal son was ALWAYS and ALREADY a son. The 99 sheep that stayed were HIS just as the one who strayed and HE BROUGHT BACK!
Hallelujah! What a SAVIOUR! So run, Beloved Children…into our SAVIOUR’s outstretched, open hands! HE is calling you…NOW!
Amen and amen!
2CJC 