meaning of MAKE EVERY EFFORT (or strive) to enter in through the narrow gate.
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if God himself appeared to you and told you how to live forever with him in glory , and you actually Believed what he said was true would you give your whole heart and mind and soul to learning and doing what he said will give you eternal
Life ? If you believed it with all you had in you where would all the strength you could muster be placed ?
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”
Matthew 13:45-46
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.”
Luke 9:23-26 KJV
what Jesus taught and promised believers is beyond any thing in creation he’s offered life after the mortality of our bodies fades . There is nothing as valuable to mankind than the gospel and the promises he made to us who believe him
it’s worth our highest dedication and should be our goal above all else to hear the term “ well done my good and faithful servant “
it’s not that we’re still lost and trying to be saved , it is that we believe the gospel and his promises
Life ? If you believed it with all you had in you where would all the strength you could muster be placed ?
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”
Matthew 13:45-46
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.”
Luke 9:23-26 KJV
what Jesus taught and promised believers is beyond any thing in creation he’s offered life after the mortality of our bodies fades . There is nothing as valuable to mankind than the gospel and the promises he made to us who believe him
it’s worth our highest dedication and should be our goal above all else to hear the term “ well done my good and faithful servant “
it’s not that we’re still lost and trying to be saved , it is that we believe the gospel and his promises
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Oh, ok.
Before a person can turn on the light using a light switch, doesn't the switch have to receive Power? Doesn't it have to first be enabled to Work properly?
As for the passage I referred to, how can a person Turn to Christ while their Father is the Devil? It is impossible. We must be enabled to Turn to Christ . . . and to obey.
Below are but only a few passages that deal with the Enabling Power of God. And to be honest, this is such obvious teaching, I won't be addressing it again. We must ALL read our Bibles . . . study it and know it.
Before a person can turn on the light using a light switch, doesn't the switch have to receive Power? Doesn't it have to first be enabled to Work properly?
As for the passage I referred to, how can a person Turn to Christ while their Father is the Devil? It is impossible. We must be enabled to Turn to Christ . . . and to obey.
Below are but only a few passages that deal with the Enabling Power of God. And to be honest, this is such obvious teaching, I won't be addressing it again. We must ALL read our Bibles . . . study it and know it.
22¶And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Which verse ? not sure what you mean ?
23Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Which verse ? not sure what you mean ?
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Context includes Luke 13:22-30
25-27
25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
So how does someone know Jesus?
25-27
25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
So how does someone know Jesus?
It could mean a number of things:
1. Strive to hear the true Gospel. That will not be easy in this day and age.
2. Make a serious effort to understand what God's salvation is all about.
3. Arrive at an unshakeable understanding that Christ Himself is your salvation.
4. Understand clearly from the Gospel that God commands genuine repentance.
5. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work of salvation without any reservations. That is how you will be saved.
6. Receive Christ into your heart and soul as BOTH Lord and Christ. Easy Believism is not the narrow way.
7. The "strait gate" is none other than Christ Himself, who said "I am the Door. By me if any man enter in he shall be saved".
8. The narrow way is the enmity of the world, and being forsaken by friends and family for your faith, while you strive to separate yourself from all that is evil and sinful in this world, and love your enemies.
1. Strive to hear the true Gospel. That will not be easy in this day and age.
2. Make a serious effort to understand what God's salvation is all about.
3. Arrive at an unshakeable understanding that Christ Himself is your salvation.
4. Understand clearly from the Gospel that God commands genuine repentance.
5. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work of salvation without any reservations. That is how you will be saved.
6. Receive Christ into your heart and soul as BOTH Lord and Christ. Easy Believism is not the narrow way.
7. The "strait gate" is none other than Christ Himself, who said "I am the Door. By me if any man enter in he shall be saved".
8. The narrow way is the enmity of the world, and being forsaken by friends and family for your faith, while you strive to separate yourself from all that is evil and sinful in this world, and love your enemies.
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We know he is the gate (or the door) and the word remnant here also few
In the context of his coming to his own
Acts 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant (a few) shall be saved.
Seeing he says, many will seek to enter and not be able
Sounds a little like,
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for
Only because of the mention of when the master of the house has risen up THEN you begin to stand without seems to jive with the same thing as it pertains to The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (such as in Mat 21:43) even as elsewhere it speaks of the children of the kingdom being cast out, (as is shown in Mat 8:12). or as he says in Luke 13:28 "you yourselves cast out" at that point
Along with verse 28
Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
Luke 13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
Then he goes into the last being first and first last in verse 30
Luke 13:30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
After the master of the house has risen up (then) they begin to stand without as others are being brought in
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
In the context of his coming to his own
Acts 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant (a few) shall be saved.
Seeing he says, many will seek to enter and not be able
Sounds a little like,
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for
Only because of the mention of when the master of the house has risen up THEN you begin to stand without seems to jive with the same thing as it pertains to The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (such as in Mat 21:43) even as elsewhere it speaks of the children of the kingdom being cast out, (as is shown in Mat 8:12). or as he says in Luke 13:28 "you yourselves cast out" at that point
Along with verse 28
Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
Luke 13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
Then he goes into the last being first and first last in verse 30
Luke 13:30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
After the master of the house has risen up (then) they begin to stand without as others are being brought in
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
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Today a person comes to be known of God through being in Christ .
7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8¶Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
9But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8¶Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
9But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
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Here it shows who is a liar when it comes to saying they know him
1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
As He does say depart from me I know you not, and also here is found the same two things
Psalm 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Although the Lord knoweth them that ARE His in 2 Ti 2:19 that also includes departing from inquity in that verse as well
1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
As He does say depart from me I know you not, and also here is found the same two things
Psalm 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Although the Lord knoweth them that ARE His in 2 Ti 2:19 that also includes departing from inquity in that verse as well
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You have asked the single most important question that one could ask. How does one become saved? I hope that what I am about to share with you blows your mind . . . it blew me away when I discovered this.
Above, it appears that you may have used the KJV translation, where it uses the phrase, "Ye workers of iniquity." Another translates this phrase as "lawbreakers." In order to make such a judgment, there must be a law that a person is able to assess and allocate the appropriate consequences. The only way to be called a "worker of iniquity" is if there is a standard by which to compare or gauge. I hope that makes sense. Well, the point is, is that Christ sets us free from the Law. How could a person be a "lawbreaker" if they have been set free from it? How could Christ refer to a person as a "worker of iniquity" if there were not a worldly law by which to make this statement?
Colossians 2:14 shows us that Jesus sets us free of worldly laws by which to be judged.
Colossians 2:14 KJV - "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross . . ."
Romans 8:2 KJV - "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
Romans 6:14-15 NLT - "Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!"
Why does Jesus set us apart from worldly laws? Because no Law, not even the Laws of Moses could Truly Redeem a person.
Acts 13:39 NIV - "Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses."
As said above, the Law of Moses could not remove the Curse of Adam and Eve . . . it did not relieve the problem of the Law of Sin and Death.
So how does God know if a person has received the Circumcision of Christ . . . the only act that separates a person apart from the Laws of this world, creating them to be an Alien in a strange land? A foreigner amongst those whom he once called "mother" and "father" - "sister" and "brother"? It is the Lord who searches our Hearts to verify that the Circumcision of Christ has taken place. And this act was a picture for us in the Old Testament in the acts of the Passover . . . the sprinkling of Blood that the Spirit of God searched for . . . and thus made His Holy Judgments upon the people.
Romans 8:27 NIV - "And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God."
After Jesus cuts away the Sinful Nature from our now Purified Hearts, He sends the Free Gift of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when the Lord searches the Hearts of human beings, He searches for the Mark of the Indwelling Holy Spirit; the Lord listens and knows the Holy Voice of His Indwelling Spirit . . . should they Indwell His Children or not. No one can possess a Holy Spirit unless their Hearts have first been Purified, for no Holy Spirit will share His House with any demon . . . impossible.
So, the reason why Jesus referred to these seemingly good and Righteous people as lawbreakers, or, workers of iniquity, is because they had yet to be freed from the Law. They may have appeared to be good people according to many of their works, but they did not Truly Turn to Christ for His Holy Circumcision, the lifting of the Curse that beset us all, apparently from birth. The Purpose of Christ is to become the remedy for the malady that occupies, or at one point, occupied our stony hearts. That stony heart must be cut out and removed, and until that happens, Hell is our destination and there is nothing that can be done about it.
Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV - "The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live."
Deut 30:6 is a Keystone passage of the Bible. This shows us that it will be God who Circumcises our Hearts . . . not ourselves. And as the text shows, this Spiritual Circumcision of all that is ugly and evil must be done . . . don't miss this . . . "SO THAT . . . you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live." - If this Circumcision does not take place, we cannot and will not Love Him with all our Heart and with all our soul, and live. It cannot and will not happen. Christ MUST Circumcise our hearts so that we will be set apart from the Law.
Romans 7:8 NKJV - "But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all [manner of evil] desire. For apart from the law sin was dead."
That's right . . . where there is no law to break, sin cannot live. Where there is no law, there can be no transgression, just as Paul teaches below:
Romans 4:14-15 NKJV - "For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression."
There is so much more that could be written, in fact, I could write a book on this single question that you have asked. The reason for why there could be so much more material given to you about this topic is because this topic is the Core Doctrine of the entire Bible. Hundreds of pages, this fictitious book would be . . .
Above, it appears that you may have used the KJV translation, where it uses the phrase, "Ye workers of iniquity." Another translates this phrase as "lawbreakers." In order to make such a judgment, there must be a law that a person is able to assess and allocate the appropriate consequences. The only way to be called a "worker of iniquity" is if there is a standard by which to compare or gauge. I hope that makes sense. Well, the point is, is that Christ sets us free from the Law. How could a person be a "lawbreaker" if they have been set free from it? How could Christ refer to a person as a "worker of iniquity" if there were not a worldly law by which to make this statement?
Colossians 2:14 shows us that Jesus sets us free of worldly laws by which to be judged.
Colossians 2:14 KJV - "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross . . ."
Romans 8:2 KJV - "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
Romans 6:14-15 NLT - "Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!"
Why does Jesus set us apart from worldly laws? Because no Law, not even the Laws of Moses could Truly Redeem a person.
Acts 13:39 NIV - "Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses."
As said above, the Law of Moses could not remove the Curse of Adam and Eve . . . it did not relieve the problem of the Law of Sin and Death.
So how does God know if a person has received the Circumcision of Christ . . . the only act that separates a person apart from the Laws of this world, creating them to be an Alien in a strange land? A foreigner amongst those whom he once called "mother" and "father" - "sister" and "brother"? It is the Lord who searches our Hearts to verify that the Circumcision of Christ has taken place. And this act was a picture for us in the Old Testament in the acts of the Passover . . . the sprinkling of Blood that the Spirit of God searched for . . . and thus made His Holy Judgments upon the people.
Romans 8:27 NIV - "And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God."
After Jesus cuts away the Sinful Nature from our now Purified Hearts, He sends the Free Gift of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when the Lord searches the Hearts of human beings, He searches for the Mark of the Indwelling Holy Spirit; the Lord listens and knows the Holy Voice of His Indwelling Spirit . . . should they Indwell His Children or not. No one can possess a Holy Spirit unless their Hearts have first been Purified, for no Holy Spirit will share His House with any demon . . . impossible.
So, the reason why Jesus referred to these seemingly good and Righteous people as lawbreakers, or, workers of iniquity, is because they had yet to be freed from the Law. They may have appeared to be good people according to many of their works, but they did not Truly Turn to Christ for His Holy Circumcision, the lifting of the Curse that beset us all, apparently from birth. The Purpose of Christ is to become the remedy for the malady that occupies, or at one point, occupied our stony hearts. That stony heart must be cut out and removed, and until that happens, Hell is our destination and there is nothing that can be done about it.
Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV - "The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live."
Deut 30:6 is a Keystone passage of the Bible. This shows us that it will be God who Circumcises our Hearts . . . not ourselves. And as the text shows, this Spiritual Circumcision of all that is ugly and evil must be done . . . don't miss this . . . "SO THAT . . . you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live." - If this Circumcision does not take place, we cannot and will not Love Him with all our Heart and with all our soul, and live. It cannot and will not happen. Christ MUST Circumcise our hearts so that we will be set apart from the Law.
Romans 7:8 NKJV - "But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all [manner of evil] desire. For apart from the law sin was dead."
That's right . . . where there is no law to break, sin cannot live. Where there is no law, there can be no transgression, just as Paul teaches below:
Romans 4:14-15 NKJV - "For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression."
There is so much more that could be written, in fact, I could write a book on this single question that you have asked. The reason for why there could be so much more material given to you about this topic is because this topic is the Core Doctrine of the entire Bible. Hundreds of pages, this fictitious book would be . . .
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Yes ,but that is irrelevant to this verse . This is about coming to Jesus to be saved ,not once your saved you need to erm ..come to Jesus to be saved . Its about people coming to Jesus to begin with. Thats the narrow way..Its narrow because there is only ONE way and thats through Jesus .
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