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JESUS THE NARROW WAY (I)
TUESDAY, JULY 29
Luke 13:22-30

John 10:40-42

 

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate…”

 

JESUS THE NARROW WAY (I)
 
Jesus retired to the Transjordan region of Perea where John had initially conducted his baptismal ministry, and where He Himself was baptised (cf. Luke 3:3; John 1:28). Many went to see Him, and remembered what John had said about Him. John, during his baptismal ministry, proclaimed Jesus as (1) the Lamb of God (John 1:29), (2) the Preexistent One (John 1:30), (3) the Son of God (John 1:34), (4) the Christ (John 3:28), (5) the Bridegroom (John 3:29), (6) the One from above (John 3:31), (7) the Speaker of God’s Word (John 3:34), (8) the One who has the Spirit without measure (John 3:34), (9) the beloved Son of the Father who has been committed all things, and (10) the One who baptises with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Luke 3:16). Having heard the words of Jesus, and seen His works, the people concluded that the things John had said about Him were true, though he performed no miracles. And many became believers.
 
Will the saved be few in number? Jesus answered this question indirectly by saying that the door into heaven is a narrow one. Those who want to enter into heaven must “strive” to do it. The word “strive” here in the Greek text is literally our English “agonise.” It has the idea of intense struggle and exertion of energy. The saved ones are those who continually strive against the forces of sin, self and Satan. Believers struggle with sin, and battle against Satan daily (Rom 7:14-21). This striving will not end until the saints receive their glorified bodies. This however should not be taken to mean that salvation is by works. Salvation is purely by the grace of God through faith in Christ alone. But true faith is a faith that works (James 2:20). The Holy Spirit works within us and makes believers more and more like Christ, but we must yield to His work of sanctification. That was exactly what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:12-13, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
 
THOUGHT: “Only one way to get to heaven, Jesus is the only way.”

PRAYER: Father, keep me in the strait and narrow way that leads to life.

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