The way is also Narrow

[PJ76]

Many people overlook or forget the fact that being a Christian is not only about believing that Jesus was the Christ, but also showing that Christ actually rules over your life by putting into practice what you preach. For Jesus said, "why do you call me "Lord, Lord' and not do what I say?" Sadly enough, we tend to forget the fact that not only is the gate very narrow, but the path is just as narrow too. For Jesus said, "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Remember those keys words, which unfortunately many self-professing Christians have ignored, "the way is narrow and there are few who find it." Yes, Jesus is the narrow gate, but my question to you is, are you also walking the narrow way? Are you living in obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ? Its one thing to claim to know Jesus, its another thing to be putting Jesus's commands into action. Yes anyone can talk the talk, but can we walk the walk? I hope that none of us will have to ever hear those terrifying words on that last day, "I never knew you, Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" My dear friends, have you repented and turned to Jesus Christ?

Pastor Johnny

 

[Demi777]

People just have to read the book of James and they will see we have to be doers, not just hearers. Churches have to teach all truth without leaving any in

 

[PJ76]

Yes let’s not just be hearers of the word, but doers of the word.

 

[Bingo]

"The things of God are revealed by the Holy Spirit, and do not come from the heart of man.* Correct interpretation of the Bible is therefore impossible without the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit in the mind and heart of the believer. God's Spirit must enlighten human darkness - not as an addition to our wisdom, but as the absolutely essential source of the only true wisdom - first of all in order that we may be born again, and secondly so that we may understand His Word properly."
'Praise God'

 

[FollowHisSteps]

Many people overlook or forget the fact that being a Christian is not only about believing that Jesus was the Christ, but also showing that Christ actually rules over your life by putting into practice what you preach. For Jesus said, "why do you call me "Lord, Lord' and not do what I say?" Sadly enough, we tend to forget the fact that not only is the gate very narrow, but the path is just as narrow too. For Jesus said, "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Remember those keys words, which unfortunately many self-professing Christians have ignored, "the way is narrow and there are few who find it." Yes, Jesus is the narrow gate, but my question to you is, are you also walking the narrow way? Are you living in obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ? Its one thing to claim to know Jesus, its another thing to be putting Jesus's commands into action. Yes anyone can talk the talk, but can we walk the walk? I hope that none of us will have to ever hear those terrifying words on that last day, "I never knew you, Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" My dear friends, have you repented and turned to Jesus Christ?

Pastor Johnny

Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
1 John 2:6

Walking like Jesus is taking on His approach and attributes, the things He rewards and praises

Poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering after righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers.
Their treasure is in heaven, they are not angry, but bless, they do not lust after sexual desire, they love their
enemies, they do their acts of righteousness in private not for show, they pray meaningful prayers expecting
the Lord hears and will answer, they forgive from the heart, they do not worry about wealth but the Lords ways,
they do not judge but desire to help and encourage others.
Matt 5 - 7

 

[PennEd]

Many people overlook or forget the fact that being a Christian is not only about believing that Jesus was the Christ, but also showing that Christ actually rules over your life by putting into practice what you preach. For Jesus said, "why do you call me "Lord, Lord' and not do what I say?" Sadly enough, we tend to forget the fact that not only is the gate very narrow, but the path is just as narrow too. For Jesus said, "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Remember those keys words, which unfortunately many self-professing Christians have ignored, "the way is narrow and there are few who find it." Yes, Jesus is the narrow gate, but my question to you is, are you also walking the narrow way? Are you living in obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ? Its one thing to claim to know Jesus, its another thing to be putting Jesus's commands into action. Yes anyone can talk the talk, but can we walk the walk? I hope that none of us will have to ever hear those terrifying words on that last day, "I never knew you, Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" My dear friends, have you repented and turned to Jesus Christ?

Pastor Johnny

Jesus is not only the Gate, but HE is also the WAY, the Truth, and the Life. The wide path leading to destruction is ANY other way than trusting completely in HIM. That Includes Islam, Judaism, Bhuddism, Hinduism, Atheism, all other religions, and works based Christianity. All those are indeed a VERY WIDE PATH, and many go in by that way.

Those that say "Lord, Lord", DON'T respond to Jesus by saying "Didn't we trust in YOU and YOUR completed Work?" No. They respond with "Didn't WE do all this great stuff in Your Name?"
Can you see the difference there? Jesus responds with "i NEVER knew you" I NEVER made you a NEW creation, with a NEW heart.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.'"But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'
"Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'
"But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'
Luke 13:24-27

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'
Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Matt 7:21-23

Two things stand out.
1. Do the will of my Father
2. Evildoers are those who are cast out

Jesus mentions those who are religious by spiritual authority, prophesy, casting out of demons, performing miracles, but it is the relationship with Jesus and doing His will, by walking in His path that matters. It is these He knows.

The reason why some argue this means those who are doing good are trying to earn their way to heaven, because they feel this is just self righteousness is all its forms. At the extreme such folk believe God accepts them despite how they live and repentance and not doing evil and add-ons to faith that are good but optional.

Their failure is not shown here but when they meet Jesus. A transformation that left them bound to sin, a series of beliefs which they believe save them but only condemn as unbelievers by not putting into action the very words Jesus spoke.

Jesus said simply on the last day, those believers who did not do as He said, will be judged by those very words.

There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
John 12:48

But the words Jesus spoke are words of life to those who listen and follow. They are spoken because they are eternal life which He promised to all who believed on Him and put into practice His commands.

 

[Jimbone]

I find these so called "works" should truly be called blessings and I love the whole outlook of this conversation. It seems when some people hear "works" they get so nervous and very up tight about them. I truly see some actually make the message of "you don't need works to be saved" to be the most import and thing, but apply to all of salvation, and apply it in a way that makes it seem as if a truly saved, spiritually alive, reconciled to His Spirit, made all new by His grace, that actually KNOW the Creator of everything, and not "work". As if this is even possible. We all "work" in our own ways, and there is not "amount required" to keep salvation or any nonsense like that, it just simply if you are saved, and you have been reborn in His Spirit, you will reflect this change, and any "change" is a "work" and only something you would have done because He changed you and thereby gets all credit and glory.

I think this focus on "no works to be saved" and taking it past salvation as if to suggest that salvation doesn't supernaturally change us to glorify Him, is a dangerous teaching that did actually keep me comfortable claiming I was "Christian" while still in the dark. This said I do understand it can go way to far the other way too, and some have truly been hurt by legalistic churches. I have come to understand it like this, Jesus saved me, I was broken and at the end of my rope and fell down on my face broken by "my way" being utterly powerless and hopeless. By His grace and power alone He picked me back up to make me stronger, to know Him, to glorify Him in every way I do everything, everyday willingly with His praise on my lips, and this is the true purpose for my life. See He opens our eyes to truth, and changes us in power to reflect this truth to the world drawing all others too Him. It's all by His power and for His glory, and I am on FIRE!!!!! to take it to the world. I testify of His power and truth and praise Jesus mighty name for His mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation, and love you all and pray we all are drawn closer day, and are used by Him to glorify Jesus name in mighty ways, in Jesus beloved name I pray. Amen.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

For years I wondered what in the parable of the seed and the sower what the new seed would be on the plants.
Biologically of course the new seed is the same type of seeds as that which was sown.
And the seed that was sown is the word of God.

So the fruit people are talking about is not good works in terms of helping people physically but the creation
of words of God, our expression of Christ to the world, taking that which has been planted in us and grown,
now producing our expression of the same realities.

It is why the word of God is living and is an expression of our dynamic relationship with our King.
It is also why it is a narrow path, because there is not many options along the way. Either the seed has been
planted and is working through, creating life and in the end fruit or it is not. One sign how mature the believer
is, is do they take the word and express it in their way, or is it just the same religious language spoken like
special words but without much meaning, but expecting people to say, wow.

I have seen believers repeat the same ideas like a parrot, as if there is only one way of expressing it or viewing
it. It is like it is a dead thing, built to maintain a belief system, and not something growing and developing in
the heart, with growing expressions and life, leading to unexpected conclusions. The word of God is so vast,
we can never encompass it, let alone see the links, but can begin to grasp its beginning and how we might walk
the next few steps. What a path, what an adventure, what a King.

 

[Jimbone]

For years I wondered what in the parable of the seed and the sower what the new seed would be on the plants.
Biologically of course the new seed is the same type of seeds as that which was sown.
And the seed that was sown is the word of God.

So the fruit people are talking about is not good works in terms of helping people physically but the creation
of words of God, our expression of Christ to the world, taking that which has been planted in us and grown,
now producing our expression of the same realities.

It is why the word of God is living and is an expression of our dynamic relationship with our King.
It is also why it is a narrow path, because there is not many options along the way. Either the seed has been
planted and is working through, creating life and in the end fruit or it is not. One sign how mature the believer
is, is do they take the word and express it in their way, or is it just the same religious language spoken like
special words but without much meaning, but expecting people to say, wow.

I have seen believers repeat the same ideas like a parrot, as if there is only one way of expressing it or viewing
it. It is like it is a dead thing, built to maintain a belief system, and not something growing and developing in
the heart, with growing expressions and life, leading to unexpected conclusions. The word of God is so vast,
we can never encompass it, let alone see the links, but can begin to grasp its beginning and how we might walk
the next few steps. What a path, what an adventure, what a King.

AMEN!!!! I agree like 1 billion %.