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

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

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?

To put Jesus' words into practice:

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

-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

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

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 - Jesus called their works iniquity despite their zeal.

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.

Jesus says take up the cross and follow me

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