Striving To Pass Into The Narrow Gate

INTRODUCTION:

“ ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIT GATE; FOR WIDE IS THE GATE, AND BROAD IS THE WAY THAT LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION, AND MANY THERE BE WHICH GO IN THEREAT. BECAUSE STRAIT IS THE GATE, AND NARROW IS THE WAY, WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.”

MATTHEW 7:13-14 (KJV)

“STRIVE TO ENTER IN AT THE STRAIT GATE; FOR MANY, I SAY UNTO YOU WILL SEEK TO ENTER IN SHALL NOT BE ABLE.”

LUKE 13:24

The narrow gate, also called the narrow door, is referred to by the Lord Jesus Christ both in Matthew 7:13-14 and in Luke 13:24. He compares the narrow gate to the “broad road” which leads to destruction (hell) and says that many people will be on that road. Otherwise, Jesus says that “Small is the gate that leads to eternal life, and only few will find It.”

First, we must understand that Jesus himself is the Door through which all must enter eternal life. There is no other way because he alone is the Way to Life. (John 14:6)

Etymology:

Strait Grk. “Stenos” means narrow and obstacles standing closed

Gate Grk. “Pule” a large door which gives entrance into a walled city, a castle a temple, palace or other large edifice. It signifies the opening or a passage.

Jesus told us in the Bible that is THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP while the sheep hear the voice of the GOOD SHEPHERD and follow him along the narrow way to eternal life.

The Question is HOW NARROW IS THE NARROW GATE?

ARE ONLY A FEW PEOPLE TO BE SAVED?

Jesus responds to a question by using a metaphor about entering God’s Kingdom. Struggle to enter through the narrow door or in other words “WORK HARD TO GO THROUGH THE NARROW DOORWAY”. He is speaking about the entrance to God’s kingdom as if it were a small doorway to a house.

WORD ANALOGY

GATE-WAY: STRAIT;NARROW, BROAD;WIDE

WHY IS IT HARD TO ENTER INTO THE NARROW GATE? THERE ARE REASONS WHY PEOPLE WERE NOT STRIVING TO ENTER INTO THE STRAIT BECAUSE OF THE OPPOSITION OF THE HUMAN PRIDE, OUR NATURAL LOVE OF SIN AND THE OPPOSITION OF SATAN AND THE WORLD IS HIS CONTROL.

EMPHASIS MINE:

“IT IS NOT EASY TO ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. BEFORE YOU REACH HEAVEN YOU HAVE TO ENDURE MANY OBSTACLES YOU WERE TO PASS THROUGH THE ETERNAL LIFE. YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE PAIN FROM SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES AND HARDSHIP IN SERVING GOD BEFORE YOU GAIN THE REWARD OF ETERNAL LIFE. THAT’S WHY THE BIBLE SAYS “WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING.”

TO STRIVE means in old Greek is “AGONIZOMAI” from which we derive the word “AGONY” which means to contend with adversaries; to enter into a contest. To contend with difficulties and in dangers; to compete for a prize; to endeavor with strenuous zeal.

It simply means to make or exert an effort with earnestness. A hard labor to achieve success and greatness.

“WE ARE ALL CONTENDERS OF OUR OWN FATE (DESTINY) SO WE ARE TO WORK HARD AND EXERT AN EFFORT TO OBTAIN THIS ETERNAL REWARD BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CROSSROADS TO SALVATION. TO ENTER INTO THE STRAIT GATE WE HAVE TO THROW AWAY AND SURRENDER EVERYTHING TO GOD. PUT AWAY THOSE EXTRA BAGGAGE WHICH HINDERS OUR ENTRANCE TO THE DOOR OF LIFE.

ENFORCE OURSELVES TO ENTER INTO THE NARROW GATE BECAUSE MANY WILL CHOOSE TO ENTER INTO THE WIDE GATE AND CHOOSE TO GO TO THE BROAD WAY. JUST LIKE AN OLD SCHOOL POLICY “NO I.D. NO ENTRY.”

MANY SAYS THAT THEY ARE THE WAY AND HAVE SALVATION THROUGH ONLY ACCEPTING CHRIST AS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOUR AND AFTER THAT NOTHING FOLLOWS BECAUSE THERE IS AN EXTENDED GRACE OF GOD, BUT WE, AS APOSTOLIC ONENESS PENTECOSTAL BELIEVERS, JESUS’ NAME BAPTIZED, HOLY GHOST TONGUE-TALKIN’ INDIVIDUALS MUST EFFORTLY STRIVE TO ENTER INTO THE NARROW GATE NOT ONLY TO ENJOY OUR PRESENT SALVATION BUT TO EXPECT THE FUTURE SALVATION AND THAT IS ---THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH HALLELUJIAH!!!!!

TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RAPTURE ONE MUST ENTER THE STRAIT AND NARROW GATE THROUGH THE FFG.

1. BELIEVE AND HAVE FAITH THAT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY GOD AND SAVIOUR.

2. REPENT OF YOUR SINS

3. BE BORN-AGAIN THROUGH WATER BAPTISM IN JESUS’ NAME (ACTS 2:38)

4. BE HOLY GHOST BAPTIZED WITH AN INITIAL EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES.

5. LIVE A HOLY LIFE BOTH INWARD AND OUTWARD.

6. ALWAYS OBEY GOD’S WILL IN YOUR LIFE.

7. BE ACTIVE AND INVOLVED IN CHRISTIAN ACTIVITIES AND FELLOWSHIP AS A PART OF YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

8. SHARE THE GOSPEL, BE A PART OF EVANGELISM AND MOST OF ALL WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST.

MANY WILL CHOOSE TO GO INTO THE BROADWAY FOR THEY THINK THE PASSAGE TO HEAVEN IS JUST EAST AS THEY THINK. NEVERTHELESS,ONLY THE FEW ONES WILL TRY TO COMPACT THEMSELVES INTO THE STRAIT GATE BUT IF YOU STRIVE TO ENTER INTO THE NARROW GATE, PAIN IS INEVITABLE BUT IF YOU ENDURE, THE GAIN OF EVERLASTING REWARD WILL SURELY COME---AND THAT IS ETERNAL LIFE!!!