Luke 13:24a - Strive To Enter Through The Narrow Gate.
Luke 13:24a - Strive To Enter Through The Narrow Gate.
Luke 13:24 (NKJV) "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for
many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Luke 13:24 (NIV) "Make every effort to enter through the narrow
door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able
to.
STRIVE. Gr. agonizomai, originally referred to the effort put
forth by a contestant in an athletic contest to qualify for the prize,
and hence came to mean in a general sense "to struggle," or "to
exert oneself." It is sometimes used in the NT of the Christian's
efforts to qualify for entrance into the kingdom of heaven (1 Cor. 9:25;
Col. 1:29). It is also translated "fight" in 1 Tim. 6:12, with
reference to fighting the good fight of faith (see 2 Tim. 4:7). [SDA Bible
Commentary]
The word translated "strive" is employed in 22:44 to describe
Jesus' struggle in Gethsemane. [Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown
Commentary]
THE NARROW DOOR is Christ Himself apart from whom there is no
other way to heaven. [Ryrie SB]
Receiving salvation requires more concentrated effort than most
people are willing to put forth. Obviously we cannot save ourselves -
there is no way we can work ourselves into God's favor. The effort we
must put out "to enter through the narrow door" is earnestly desiring
to know Jesus and diligently striving to follow him whatever the
cost. [Life Application SB]
Man is allotted a part in this great struggle for everlasting
life; he must respond to the working of the Holy Spirit. It will
require a struggle to break through the powers of darkness, and the
Spirit works in him to accomplish this. But man is no passive being, to
be saved in indolence. He is called upon to strain every muscle and
exercise every faculty in the struggle for immortality; yet it is God
that supplies the efficiency. 8T65
There is no such thing as a truly converted person living a
helpless, useless life. It is not possible for us to drift into heaven. No
sluggard can enter there. If we do not strive to gain an entrance into
the kingdom, if we do not seek earnestly to learn what constitutes
its laws, we are not fitted for a part in it. Those who refuse to
co-operate with God on earth would not co-operate with Him in heaven. It
would not be safe to take them to heaven. COL280 [Remnant SOP SB]
God's kingdom is at work in this world, but many people fail to
take advantage of their opportunities. Instead of entering the
kingdom, some people only ask questions about it. Salvation is not a
theory to discuss; it is a miracle to experience. No wonder Jesus wept
when He saw sinners passing by their opportunities to be saved! Do
not wait for opportunities to come; they are already here. [Chapter
by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
Yesterday is a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note.
Today is the only cash you have, so invest it wisely. [Chapter by
Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re Luk. 13]
IS CHRIST REALLY THE ONLY WAY
Martial artist Morihei Ueshiba once philosophized, "There are
many paths leading to the top of Mount Fuji." His statement reflected
the idea that many people believe, which is that there are many ways
to find God. Life is a journey and people are free to choose their
own path to the deity of their choice.
However, Jesus completely refuted that idea, in Luke 13:24,
He said, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say
to you, will seek to enter and will not be able." In other words,
there are people who will spend their entire life pursuing a deity
that cannot save them and will not realize it until it's too late.
It's a horrifying thought.
So, why do so many people think there is more than one way to
find God?
Generally, the belief that there is more than one path to God
stems from the fact that in every society in the world - it doesn't
make any difference how civilized or uncivilized - there are always
people who believe in some kind of deity. Therefore, many
anthropologists and sociologists reason that there is no one true religion -
everyone simply worships the deity which best reflects their
environmental influences.
Such scientists conclude that everyone is entitled to their
own idea of god - including believing that there is no such thing as
a supreme being. Unfortunately, that's human reasoning. It sounds
logical, but the problem with it is that it is a complete contradiction
to the way the one true God has provided for us to know Him (see
John 3:16-18).
So why are there so many cultures with so many deities?
Romans 1:20 explains, "Since the creation of the world His invisible
attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,
even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse."
People are without excuse in knowing that God exists. That is why every
culture has a concept of God - He's clearly seen throughout nature.
However, it's not up to us to imagine who He is or to create Him out of
our own reasoning or culture. Rather, we must look to the way He's
revealed Himself to us, which is through the person of Jesus Christ (see
Matt. 11:27; John 14:7).
Unfortunately, people are sometimes offended when Christians
say that Jesus Christ is the only way to God because they say that
God wouldn't exclude all the people who don't believe in Christ from
heaven. However, their reasoning is completely wrong. It's not that the
one true God is exclusive. In fact, He is completely inclusive.
Jesus said in John 12:32, "I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will
draw all peoples to Myself." Jesus offers salvation to everyone.
Jesus would never turn away someone who put their faith in Him (see
Rom. 10:9-13).
Though life may be a journey, and though there may be a
multitude of roads to the earthly Mount Fuji; there's only one way to God
- and that's by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior
(see John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Christ offers the only road that leads to
salvation. Though the world may offer an abundance of choices, they'll
never lead to what you're really looking for (see Prov. 14:12). The
only right choice is the road God offers - and that is through Jesus
Christ. Though that path is the narrow one, it's always wide open to
you. Trust Him. [Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley]
IN-DEPTH COMMENTARY
The path which I have set before you, He said, is narrow; the
gate is difficult of entrance; for the golden rule excludes all pride
and self-seeking. There is, indeed, a wider road; but its end is
destruction. If you would climb the path of spiritual life, you must
constantly ascend; for it is an upward way. You must go with the few; for
the multitude will choose the downward path.
In the road to death the whole race may go, with all their
worldliness, all their selfishness, all their pride, dishonesty, and moral
debasement. There is room for every man's opinions and doctrines, space to
follow his inclinations, to do whatever his self-love may dictate. In
order to go in the path that leads to destruction, there is no need of
searching for the way; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad, and the
feet naturally turn into the path that ends in death.
But the way to life is narrow and the entrance strait. If you
cling to any besetting sin you will find the way too narrow for you to
enter. Your own ways, your own will, your evil habits and practices,
must be given up if you would keep the way of the Lord. He who would
serve Christ cannot follow the world's opinions or meet the world's
standard. Heaven's path is too narrow for rank and riches to ride in
state, too narrow for the play of self-centered ambition, too steep and
rugged for lovers of ease to climb. Toil, patience, self-sacrifice,
reproach, poverty, the contradiction of sinners against Himself, was the
portion of Christ, and it must be our portion, if we ever enter the
Paradise of God.
Yet do not therefore conclude that the upward path is the
hard and the downward road the easy way. All along the road that
leads to death there are pains and penalties, there are sorrows and
disappointments, there are warnings not to go on. God's love has made it hard for
the heedless and headstrong to destroy themselves. It is true that
Satan's path is made to appear attractive, but it is all a deception; in
the way of evil there are bitter remorse and cankering care. We may
think it pleasant to follow pride and worldly ambition, but the end is
pain and sorrow. Selfish plans may present flattering promises and
hold out the hope of enjoyment, but we shall find that our happiness
is poisoned and our life embittered by hopes that center in self.
In the downward road the gateway may be bright with flowers, but
thorns are in the path. The light of hope which shines from its
entrance fades into the darkness of despair, and the soul who follows
that path descends into the shadows of unending night.
"The way of transgressors is hard," but wisdom's "ways are
ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace." Proverbs 13:15;
3:17. Every act of obedience to Christ, every act of self-denial for
His sake, every trial well endured, every victory gained over
temptation, is a step in the march to the glory of final victory. If we take
Christ for our guide, He will lead us safely. The veriest sinner need
not miss his way. Not one trembling seeker need fail of walking in
pure and holy light. Though the path is so narrow, so holy that sin
cannot be tolerated therein, yet access has been secured for all, and
not one doubting, trembling soul need say, "God cares naught for
me."
The road may be rough and the ascent steep; there may be
pitfalls upon the right hand and upon the left; we may have to endure
toil in our journey; when weary, when longing for rest, we may have
to toil on; when faint, we may have to fight; when discouraged, we
must still hope; but with Christ as our guide we shall not fail of
reaching the desired haven at last. Christ Himself has trodden the rough
way before us and has smoothed the path for our feet.
And all the way up the steep road leading to eternal life are
well-springs of joy to refresh the weary. Those who walk in wisdom's ways
are, even in tribulation, exceeding joyful; for He whom their soul
loveth, walks, invisible, beside them. At each upward step they discern
more distinctly the touch of His hand; at every step brighter
gleamings of glory from the Unseen fall upon their path; and their songs
of praise, reaching ever a higher note, ascend to join the songs of
angels before the throne. "The path of the righteous is as the light of
dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18,
R.V., margin.
The belated traveler, hurrying to reach the city gate by the
going down of the sun, could not turn aside for any attractions by the
way. His whole mind was bent on the one purpose of entering the gate.
The same intensity of purpose, said Jesus, is required in the
Christian life. I have opened to you the glory of character, which is the
true glory of My kingdom. It offers you no promise of earthly
dominion; yet it is worthy of your supreme desire and effort. I do not
call you to battle for the supremacy of the world's great empire, but
do not therefore conclude that there is no battle to be fought nor
victories to be won. I bid you strive, agonize, to enter into My spiritual
kingdom.
The Christian life is a battle and a march. But the victory
to be gained is not won by human power. The field of conflict is
the domain of the heart. The battle which we have to fight--the
greatest battle that was ever fought by man--is the surrender of self to
the will of God, the yielding of the heart to the sovereignty of
love. The old nature, born of blood and of the will of the flesh,
cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The hereditary tendencies, the
former habits, must be given up........
The victory is not won without much earnest prayer, without
the humbling of self at every step. Our will is not to be forced
into co-operation with divine agencies, but it must be voluntarily
submitted. Were it possible to force upon you with a hundredfold greater
intensity the influence of the Spirit of God, it would not make you a
Christian, a fit subject for heaven..........
But many are attracted by the beauty of Christ and the glory
of heaven, who yet shrink from the conditions by which alone these
can become their own. There are many in the broad way who are not
fully satisfied with the path in which they walk. They long to break
from the slavery of sin, and in their own strength they seek to make
a stand against their sinful practices. They look toward the
narrow way and the strait gate; but selfish pleasure, love of the
world, pride, unsanctified ambition, place a barrier between them and
the Saviour. To renounce their own will, their chosen objects of
affection or pursuit, requires a sacrifice at which they hesitate and
falter and turn back. Many "will seek to enter in, and shall not be
able." Luke 13:24. They desire the good, they make some effort to
obtain it; but they do not choose it; they have not a settled purpose
to secure it at the cost of all things.
The only hope for us if we would overcome is to unite our
will to God's will and work in co-operation with Him, hour by hour
and day by day. We cannot retain self and yet enter the kingdom of
God. If we ever attain unto holiness, it will be through the
renunciation of self and the reception of the mind of Christ. Pride and
self-sufficiency must be crucified. Are we willing to pay the price required of
us? Are we willing to have our will brought into perfect conformity
to the will of God? Until we are willing, the transforming grace of
God cannot be manifest upon us. MB138-143
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
A Better Way to Live: http://www.itiswritten.com/betterway/
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Grace Notes: http://www.e-gracenotes.org/index.php
Excellent Spiritual Resource Site:
http://www.christianlifemediacenter.com/
More Spiritual Resources: http://www.aBible.com
