Strive!

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“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13:24)

What is Jesus saying here? Are we sure of our salvation? Is not the gift of grace from God free? What must we do to be saved if not simply believe that Jesus is the Christ? It’s all in the text my friends, it’s all in His words.

Yes, we are justified through the cross of Christ, but that’s just the beginning. Free does not mean apathy. We do not receive Jesus then rest on his laurels, no, that is what we call cheap grace. The grace of God is oh so costly; it takes what can be summed up in one word, discipleship. This is why Jesus tells us that many will perish and not enter his Kingdom, that many will, “Knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’” but he will answer saying to them, “I do not know where you come from…Depart from me, all you workers of evil.” (Luke 13:25, 27).

No, we must not simply seek Jesus, but strive! It takes a lifetime of discipleship, a constant effort and drive to understand that without him, we are lost, doomed to destruction. Are you Christian in name only? Do you go to Sunday service, but then the rest of the week live free of His requirements just like the rest of the world? Then do not be surprised if you hear from Him, “I do not know where you come from.” Jesus’ teachings, exhortations, and life are to become second nature to us, so that every thing we do is wrapped in Him, in Christ.

A spiritually vigorous saint never believes that his circumstances simply happen at random, nor does he ever think of his life as being divided into the secular and the sacred. He sees every situation in which he finds himself as the means of obtaining a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ.[1]

Everything we do is to become more like Jesus. How do you spend your mornings? How about talking to God. Ask him to make you a blessing to others you interact with. Prepare yourself to be that miracle in someone’s life. Work suck? Make it your ministry to make it better for those around you, be different, be that shining light of hope, so that others can see Christ in you. That means stop the gossip, stop the blaming. You have been reborn in the Spirit, act like it. In short, show your faith, strive!


[1] Oswald Chambers, “The Spiritually Vigorous Saint,” http://utmost.org/the-spiritually-vigorous-saint/

Comments

  1. HarryAugust 19, 2013 at 5:13 PM

    i reflect upon reading your lesson with appreciation for how delicate the balance is between freedom and oppression.

    God's grace is a gift that is available to all just as liberty and justice are with a free and peaceful society.

    i support all those in our society who do the heavy lifting to keep us free and all us to peacefully seek God's grace. therefore i feel blessed and obligated to strive each day to be faithful to Jesus' word and live a decent life. a decency reflected by actions of kindness to others and conduct that isn't regrettable.

    harry
    ewa beach
    monday august 19th

    ReplyDelete

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