The Straight Gate

[Michael009]

Concerning the scriptures below, what are your thoughts on why many who are seeking to enter in, will not be able? (Mat 7:14 infers that many wont even FIND IT!)

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Luke 13:24

Matt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 

[Julian of York]

I may be tiresome to the members on this site, but I feel my calling is to witness to the members of the church. Matthew 13 informs us ,by parables, that there are "tares amongst the wheat", "a pearl worth paying anything for", "leaven hidden in three measures of bread","good fishes and bad fishes" caught in the net, and "good Seed (the Gospel) that is spread in three bad locations and one good location".All of these types used in parable form by the Lord Jesus Christ make reference that there are many in the "kingdom of heaven",i.e. the universal body of all persons that claim any association with Christ, that are not really regenerated. A very liberal estimation might be 25% of the kingdom of heaven will go to heaven. Remember that ,of the four places "seed" landed in the first parable, one part landed in the road,one part on stony ground, one part amidst the briers, and only 1/4 actually grew to produce fruit. Personally, I think if 25% of the kingdom were truly regenerated,there would be World-wide Revival!
So, the percentage of people who are going to associate with Christianity,out of the billions on earth,is low. The truly born-again,regenerated saved folk going to heaven is real low. For that reason alone the Gate is Straight, and difficult to find and enter.

Julian of York
Isaiah 32:17

 

[Michael009]

The parables you highlighted are agreeable scripture references in understanding Christ message in Mat 7 and Luke 13.

 

[papaJP]

ôί óôåíὴ ἡ ðύëç êáὶ ôåèëéììέíç ἡ ὁäὸò ἡ ἀðάãïõóá åἰò ôὴí æùὴí êáὶ ὀëίãïé åἰóὶí ïἱ åὑñίóêïíôåò áὐôήí. (Mat 7:14 BGT)

For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Mat 7:14 NRS)

ἀãùíίæåóèå åἰóåëèåῖí äéὰ ôῆò óôåíῆò èύñáò, ὅôé ðïëëïί, ëέãù ὑìῖí, æçôήóïõóéí åἰóåëèåῖí êáὶ ïὐê ἰó÷ύóïõóéí. (Luk 13:24 BGT)

"Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. (Luk 13:24 NRS)

This is a journey and not just a beginning. Most accept Jesus as Savior and think that they are saved. they have only taken the first step. The journey is to allow the Holy Spirit to fill us so we can do the work of God and strive to become like Jesus the Christ. Remember Jesus said we were to do all that He did and even more. He also said we would suffer all He suffered. We as flesh can not accomplish what it takes to become like Jesus until filled with the Holy Spirit of God. This is the true way to enter the gate or door into the presence of God.

 

[Michael009]

I've noticed many restaurants do thriving business after Sunday morning services let out.

Maybe an undeniable impact if a few Churches decided to fast that Sunday afternoon meal, and pray and seek God to bless more believers with the Holy Ghost baptism.

papaJP..I thank you for your remarks.