Bible Study The Narrow Gate

[imokay2121]

Luke 13:24
"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."

That verse scares me, because it is telling me that most people would end up in hell forever, while 10% of the world population avoids hell and makes it to heaven. (well, it seems that way, I am just trying to get clarification)

I fear that one day I would end up in bell myself. I don't want that. Question, even though I accepted Jesus as Lord and savior, how can I be sure I am going to heaven when I die. Why is it so hard to enter the kingdom of heaven? It scares me that most people are destined to go to hell.

 

[JohnDB]

Luke 13:24
"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."

That verse scares me, because it is telling me that most people would end up in hell forever, while 10% of the world population avoids hell and makes it to heaven. (well, it seems that way, I am just trying to get clarification)

I fear that one day I would end up in bell myself. I don't want that. Question, even though I accepted Jesus as Lord and savior, how can I be sure I am going to heaven when I die. Why is it so hard to enter the kingdom of heaven? It scares me that most people are destined to go to hell.

John the Baptist had the answer for this.

"Bear fruit in keeping with repentance".

Meaning that if you are sorry about former lifestyle choices and sins then don't do them anymore.
If someone was to give you a nice house and car for the drive...you would probably be grateful to them. Do whatever you could to make them happy. (Gratitude)
Maybe what God has granted you is more valuable than those things and some gratitude is due.

You can't earn your way to heaven...but you can act like you are enjoying your reservations there.

 

[Chopper]

Hello Friend. I don't know if you are my Brother or Sister. The narrow road question has plagued many true Christians so you're not alone. Jesus has me here to help you understand His ways. First, I'll present a video from my Hebrew Teacher, Alan Horvath. After viewing it, if you still have questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

Here is a link to Alan's video "How Do I Know I'm Saved"...... www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApPz0EwAnSU

Enjoy my friend. You will notice that Alan has many many other videos answering questions that other folk have.

 

[LovethroughDove]

Why is it so hard to enter the kingdom of heaven? It scares me that most people are destined to go to hell.

Because heaven is perfection.

how can I be sure I am going to heaven when I die. It scares me that most people are destined to go to hell.

Most people are okay with a fake love.

If you really know that Jesus is what love really looks like and that is perfection.........you'll be okay

 

[for_his_glory]

Mat 7:13 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:
Mat 7:14 because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Mat 7:21 not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Wide is the gate that leads to destruction means many say they are a Christian by lip service, but have never really asked Jesus into their hearts by making confession with their mouth and belief in their heart, Romans 10:9, 10. Many just jumped in to works instead and glorify themselves within their works and give no glory to God, sort of like the Pharisees as we can see in Matthew Chapter 23 where Jesus characterizes the Pharisees and then condemns them.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;
Titus 3:7 that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

It's not by our works or good deeds that save us, because we are all sinners, it is by Gods grace and mercy that forgives our sins and washes us clean by the atoning blood of the Lamb (Jesus). Those of self works only are the ones Jesus says he never knew.

Jesus is the gate, John 14:6 Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. These are those who have given themselves to the Lord and His Spirit lives in them and works through them as there are not many, but how can one actually define how many when Jesus says we will know them by their fruits. Have we all not seen those who claim to be of God, but their fruits do not show it!

How narrow is the gate that leads to life, as narrow as the wide gate is wide that leads to destruction.

 

[nmwings]

Luke 13:24
"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."

That verse scares me, because it is telling me that most people would end up in hell forever, while 10% of the world population avoids hell and makes it to heaven. (well, it seems that way, I am just trying to get clarification)

I fear that one day I would end up in bell myself. I don't want that. Question, even though I accepted Jesus as Lord and savior, how can I be sure I am going to heaven when I die. Why is it so hard to enter the kingdom of heaven? It scares me that most people are destined to go to hell.

Your fear might be the holy spirit convicting you. It is a very healthy fear, and I pray it will serve you well on your quest to answer this question for yourself. One way to tell if we're going thru the narrow gate is to look around and see what everybody else is doing. If we "follow the crowd" and do what the majority is doing, chances are EXTREMELY high that we're NOT going thru that narrow gate. Remember: we are supposed to be different from everyone else. So if most of the people we know don't consider us to be odd in our walk of faith, we're not on the narrow path. We're supposed to stand out like a sore thumb as a TESTIMONY for the one true God. We're supposed to BE holy, for the Lord our God IS holy. But if we don't know the difference between what is holy and what is common or profane, how can we be holy? We can't because we're not on the narrow path. If we want to find that narrow path, we need to start learning God's definition of things, like what is clean and unclean, what is holy and profane. And in order to do that, we must be willing to hear God's voice from the Mountain. The Mountain in Sinai where God taught that narrow path. The same Mountain which Paul visited after Jesus was revealed to him. Why did he go to Mt Sinai? To return to his roots and find that narrow path. But before anyone can find that path, they must be willing to hear, and after they hear..... they must be willing to obey. That's why in Mark 12 Jesus quotes Deut 6 and says that the 1st commandment is to "HEAR, o Israel, the Lord our God is one......"

We are also supposed to be the SALT of the earth.... and salt stings as it purifies. Jesus said that this path is hard. So yes, some things will sting a bit as we find that narrow path. But it is for our own good. It is our life (see Deut 30.) You want to stand out like a sore thumb? Start observing the Sabbath on the 7th day of the week.... not the 1st day as the majority does. For God says the Sabbath is holy and it is a sign between Him and His people forever (see Ex 31.) The Sabbath serves as an engagement ring of sorts, to show to the whole world that we are His people and He is our God. If we aren't observing His Sabbath, (wearing His ring) we're not His bride. YIKES! Yes, Jesus saves us from our sins, and afterwards obedience sanctifies us (sets us apart from everyone else). It was for our disobedience that Jesus suffered. If we continue to disobey after His blood was shed for us, there is no other sacrifice for us (see Heb 10.) We are lost.
I hope you will prayerfully consider these words.