Why is His Way narrow and only a few find it? Matthew 7:13-14

[MessageOfTheCross]

Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.


22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?


23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Bible study: Question for anyone?

Why did Jesus tell these people who thought they where Christians at the Great White Throne Judgement that their works in His Name is iniquity?

What is the will of the Father?

Finally, why is His Way narrow and only a few find it? Matthew 7:13-14

 

[Dave-L]

Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.


22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?


23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Bible study: Question for anyone?

Why did Jesus tell these people who thought they where Christians at the Great White Throne Judgement that their works in His Name is iniquity?

What is the will of the Father?

Finally, why is His Way narrow and only a few find it? Matthew 7:13-14

Personally, I believe "Limited Atonement" is the narrow way. And "Universal Atonement" is the broadway many are lost in.

 

[Dino246]

Jesus wasn't addressing people who thought they were Christians in that passage; He was addressing Jews. Only a few of that generation of Jews found the "narrow gate". The rest rejected their Messiah and most were killed or sold into slavery in 70 AD.

The application today is that Jesus is the narrow gate, just as it was then. However, the "many" today are people who reject Christ, not genuine Christians who don't conform to someone's narrow idea of what a "Christian" should be.

 

[Judges1318]

Why did Jesus tell these people who thought they where Christians at the Great White Throne Judgement that their works in His Name is iniquity?

Because their works are works of service, not works of obedience.

 

[Judges1318]

What is the will of the Father?

To put Jesus' words into practice:

"everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice" - Matthew 7:24

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

To put Jesus' words into practice:

"everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice" - Matthew 7:24

The scripture says that they did what the scripture was telling them to do in Jesus name. But it was judged as iniquity; why?

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Something is wrong, despite their zeal. What is the will of the Father to enter into Heaven? Matthew 7:21

 

[Judges1318]

Finally, why is His Way narrow and only a few find it? Matthew 7:13-14

The narrow way is walking in the ways he's just been teaching:

-loving your enemies
-not judging others
-not serving the god of money
-not worrying about tomorrow
-not running after the things of this world
-seeking righteousness first
-giving without thought of return or acknowledgement of that giving
-not resisting evil people
-going the extra mile when you don't have to
-letting your word be your oath
-not hating
-not divorcing
-not committing adultery
-reconciling with your enemy

This is the narrow way because it chaffs against the natural, unruly, out of control way of the flesh that is so easy to walk in (hence the wide and easy way) that leads to destruction. By nature, not many seek to limit their flesh this way, even in the church.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The narrow way is walking in the ways he's just been teaching:

-loving your enemies
-not judging others
-not serving the god of money
-not worrying about tomorrow
-not running after the things of this world
-seeking righteousness first
-giving without thought of return or acknowledgement of that giving
-not resisting evil people
-going the extra mile when you don't have to
-letting your word be your oath
-not hating
-not divorcing
-not committing adultery
-reconciling with your enemy

This is the narrow way because it chaffs against the natural, unruly, out of control way of the flesh that is so easy to walk in (hence the wide and easy way) that leads to destruction. By nature, not many seek to limit their flesh this way, even in the church.

The scripture is telling us they did those things. Have we not _______ in Your Name? and in Your Name have ______? and in Your Name done many wonderful works?

Why did Jesus call these works iniquity.

 

[Judges1318]

The scripture says that they did what the scripture was telling them to do in Jesus name. But it was judged as iniquity; why?

Because they took false comfort in the sacrifice of their service and had no works of obedience.

"Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice." - 1 Samuel 15:22

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice" - Matthew 9:13

"to love your neighbor is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices" - Mark 12:33

"to do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." - Proverbs 21:3

.

 

[Judges1318]

The scripture is telling us they did those things. Have we not _______ in Your Name? and in Your Name have ______? and in Your Name done many wonderful works?

Why did Jesus call these works iniquity.

For the same reason King Saul's sacrifice was not more important than his rejection of God's word.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Because they took false comfort in the sacrifice of their service and had no works of obedience.

"Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice." - 1 Samuel 15:22

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice" - Matthew 9:13

"to love your neighbor is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices" - Mark 12:33

"to do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." - Proverbs 21:3

.

How do we as a Believer obey the voice of the Lord? Please, if you can post the scripture(s).

 

[Judges1318]

How do we as a Believer obey the voice of the Lord? Please, if you can post the scripture(s).

Matthew 5-7

-loving your enemies
-not judging others
-not serving the god of money
-not worrying about tomorrow
-not running after the things of this world
-seeking righteousness first
-giving without thought of return or acknowledgement of that giving
-not resisting evil people
-going the extra mile when you don't have to
-letting your word be your oath
-not hating
-not divorcing
-not committing adultery
-reconciling with your enemy

This is the obedience that the people with the sacrifice of their service did not have, showing that Jesus never knew them intimately.

 

[Judges1318]

How do we as a Believer obey the voice of the Lord?

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

12 As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against on another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:2, 5-6, 12

This is what counts. This is what is important. This is what matters.
Our silly denominational dogmas and beliefs about going to church, tithing, participating in church outreaches and programs, correct worship methods, etc. are not going to replace or make up for any lack of obedience to God's commands about personal holiness as described above and in other lengthy passages of scripture.

 

[Gregoryp]

Jesus says take up the cross and follow me, its a sacrifice to follow him. Your either in the world, or your not. You cant have both. Thats why the gate is narrow. Place your foundations on the earth and it will be kicked out from under you, with nothing to hold on to.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Matthew 5-7
This is the obedience that the people with the sacrifice of their service did not have, showing that Jesus never knew them intimately.

But the scripture says, "As He is so are we." Meaning, we were crucified with Christ, buried in His death, and raised in newness with Him (Rom. 6:3-5). So how can the criteria be the works you mentioned, including post #14 - Jesus called their works iniquity despite their zeal.

 

[Judges1318]

But the scripture says, "As He is so are we." Meaning, we were crucified with Christ, buried in His death, and raised in newness with Him (Rom. 6:3-5). So how can the criteria be the works you mentioned - Jesus called their works iniquity despite their zeal.

The works of ministry that they did are not what he's calling iniquity.
Whatever it is that they did not obey in regard to forgiveness, charity, etc. is their iniquity.

 

[Gregoryp]

Matthew 5-7
This is the obedience that the people with the sacrifice of their service did not have, showing that Jesus never knew them intimately.

not divoricing is an interesting topic of itself. We have had a spate of domestic violence murders here in Australia lately, including one husband who decided to set his car alight while his wife and children were sitting in it. She tried to leave him, but her persisted in annoying her. I also know of someone else who fell for prosperity theology, married a local wealthy mans son, had a child, and now realises what a terrible place she is in. I believe he is not a nice man to be around. I am sure it grieves Jesus to see her in such a position and expected to stay her for the rest of her days on the earth.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Jesus says take up the cross and follow me

Amen. Faith in Christ and what Christ has done for us at the Cross (Eph. 2:8-9, 13-18). That is the will of the Father. Without Faith in Christ and the Cross (The Blood of Jesus) it is impossible to please God. Many Christians are proclaiming Christ, while forsaking the Finished work of Christ at Calvary where the victory was won (The Blood).

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Jesus says take up the cross and follow me, its a sacrifice to follow him.

Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you. Amen.