Bible Study Who's On The Narrow Road?

[Chopper]

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

After thinking about these two verses a while, I began to really take another look at V.14. "Few there be that find it." Really!! Few? and compared to "Many who go to destruction? I don't know what you folk think about this, but I think this is quite serious.

There are so many folk who profess to be born again. Then we have Scriptures like...
John 2:23 "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
2:25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."
AND
Matthew 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.
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?
7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

I'm wondering if you folk have some thoughts you'd like to share about what you feel is a biblical Salvation. We live in a time of what's called "Easy believe-ism" I know for a fact that some Baptist Church Pastors have a need to have the most new converts each month and Baptisms. It's like a contest to see who can convert the most....That's very sad in my book.

We have these television Pastors who preach psychology rather than the Gospel. Make the people feel good, don't talk about sin.

The gate is NARROW few enter that gate, few!! What do you think that means? Just what is Salvation according to the Word of God? If you were going to lead someone to Christ Jesus, How would you do it? What would you tell them? Repentance from sin is almost forgotten these days, but isn't it important?

Lets form a biblical standard for folk in this Forum who has never witnessed to anyone because they don't know what to say. Everyone should have an idea of how to lead a person to Salvation in Christ Jesus.


.

 

[JohnDB]

A person who confessed that "Jesus is Lord" isn't making a magical incantation. He is making a life summary statement concerning his own life.

A person who loves (according to John)
And by that is loving others as described in chapter 13 of Corinthians.

They have fruits as well according to James. (I do tend to judge fruit instead of salvation)

And they also have a great fear/respect for God according to Solomon.

A lot of people can stand in a garage...and make car/truck noises. (I can do a diesel)
But that doesn't mean that they are a vehicle. They just make noises like one.

For me,. A person's attitude and actions over long stretches of time tell me who is and who really isn't a brother/sister.

But... for someone on the outside looking in its going to be rather difficult to figure out. The charlatans have grabbed the spotlight and all the oxygen out of the room for sure. I long for more guys like Billy Graham to rise up. But all we get is "give to get" and "buy my book" scammers.

Of course repentance from sin is necessary. But the definition of what is exactly a sin these days has been made really confusing to those outside. From using mind altering substances to sexual immorality and perversion...and especially lying, cheating and stealing to get ahead all seem to be accepted norms these days.

I get discouraged with humanity in general when looking at the problem. But I know as well that I seem to have an effect on those around me.

I do what I can do. It isn't nearly enough. Like spitting to try and fill an ocean. So I am longing for home tonight.

 

[smaller]

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

Gates have much significance in the scriptures. I would consider this Pslam statement to be a Messianic overture:

Psalm 9:13
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:

The admonition of Jesus is to follow him. It's the path of one, Jesus, the strait and narrow. And leading to where? Life.

Those who stand on the path of destruction, I might consider are largely unaware of where they are standing, on it.

Over the course of time, believers, perhaps practically but I don't think so, have been taught that in order to "turn" people from eternal damnation/destruction, that they must hold that in front of people's faces in order to scare them into believing in Christ. In the past this activity got so out of hand that people were treated extremely violently and even killed if they did not conform to the "churches" dictates. This is obviously the path of destruction, TO OTHERS.

So, we get these two basic spiritual instruments put in our own hands, death and/or eternal torture, and life. And we quite ill headedly, often, then attempt to bludgeon everyone with the wrong instrument, trying to "turn them" to Jesus. Often even turning this bludgeoning instrument upon other believers or even ourselves, trying to force conformance to some idealistic sets of notions.

I've seen believers do this to each others over a SINGLE WORD. It's pitiful and pathetic. Are such on the path of destruction? Uh, yeah. Quite clearly they have been overwhelmed, by pride, in picking up that spiritual tool. They can't handle it. But think they can. When in fact they have been blindsided and don't see what they are doing to themselves.

So, we use these two basic tools. The threat, and the "alternative choice."

The reality is that both of these tools are to be employed, if we are observing, and applying properly. Just because someone makes and affirmative choice doesn't mean the other instrument, the threat, is put away.

Look at the construction of the unsaved. What should we see?

2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

We should see the captor and the captive. Do we seek to toss the captive to the eternal fires of hell? Uh no. We seek to SAVE them. From who? Uh, from the OTHER.

We've all heard it a million times, hate the sin, love the sinner. But if we are more "tuned in" that hatred is not to the sin, but to the CAPTOR.

Now, if you have the spiritual tool of eternal damnation, WHO in the above construct is going to get the eternal torture GONG? The answer should be obvious to anyone who thinks to use such an instrument, properly. Let us knock off the OBVIOUS party, first, before we set about to burn up the whole pile.

Look again:

Acts 26:
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

You might be saying about this time, if the distinction is not leaping off the page by now, "how could I have been so blind" in seeing only a PERSON? If you are hearing that, Jesus IS talking to you.

Let's look again, even upon ourselves in our prior state:

Ephesians 2:
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Do we see the same thing as the other two scriptures above? Of course. And what do we see? We see again, the captor captive relationship. When we "witness" of Christ we are trying to CHANGE this relationship, by witnessing the LOVE of Jesus to the CAPTIVE, but not the captor. We still need the spiritual tool of eternal damnation to employ to the CORRECT party, particularly if things get 'out of hand' in the witnessing process, and yes, that does happen.

When we "go fishing" for mankind, we will find other beasts in the sea. That's all there is to this matter.

So, what do we expect, when we witness, bearing the LOVE/LIFE of God in Christ to other people? The below IS a reality:

Mark 4:15
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

The Word we sow, in "witnessing" to the captive, is the WORD OF LIFE.

The reason the above happens is because Satan, the CAPTOR, is already HOLDING them as captives. We have to see the captor/captive relationship. Yes, Satan immediately moves to "keep his holding, the captive" by STEALING the Word of LIFE.

If we closely examine our ways, we'd probably find ourselves on the path of destruction, by the sore misuse of the tool of destruction. But of course, we'll still think we're not standing on that path, because we too can be deceived by the enemy of our own soul.

We are to love the person. And we are to call down the captor with the spiritual instrument of eternal damnation, IF we are shown the need to employ same, by Gods Involvement, showing the other party to us.

But if we DO NOT SEE THE DIFFERENCE between these parties, in the captor/captive relationship, we are on the wrong path, and somewhat blind ourselves. Trying to bludgeon the WRONG party.

 

[th1b.taylor]

Folks seem to believe it is nearly impossible to walk with God, along the Straight Path that leads to the Narrow Gate. That is not true. What is required is not even difficult if one can/will capture their Personal Pride, Bridle it and, just, learn to submit everything to our LORD.

One member of these forums that demands it be recognized they are on the Narrow Path has informed me that I "DO NOT" walk with God because no man can do such a thing.

Of course, a man can do such a thing and the Bible shows us that our Walk With Him is, exactly what God desires from us. In the Creation Story we find God walking with Adam and then in Genesis 5:24 we find Enoch walking with God and he ¿never? died.

It is, correctly, stated that the Gospel I teach is divisive and that is only true because the Gospel, found in the New Testament is divisive, separating sin from Holiness.

When I was of the World I enjoyed the Rotten Fruits it produces ut now I have offered all of me to our LORD and Adultery, Fornication, and such are a great offense to me. Such is not true for most of the membership of the Body, calling themselves the Church.

 

[JLB]

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

After thinking about these two verses a while, I began to really take another look at V.14. "Few there be that find it." Really!! Few? and compared to "Many who go to destruction? I don't know what you folk think about this, but I think this is quite serious.

There are so many folk who profess to be born again. Then we have Scriptures like...
John 2:23 "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
2:25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."
AND
Matthew 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.
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?
7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

I'm wondering if you folk have some thoughts you'd like to share about what you feel is a biblical Salvation. We live in a time of what's called "Easy believe-ism" I know for a fact that some Baptist Church Pastors have a need to have the most new converts each month and Baptisms. It's like a contest to see who can convert the most....That's very sad in my book.

We have these television Pastors who preach psychology rather than the Gospel. Make the people feel good, don't talk about sin.

The gate is NARROW few enter that gate, few!! What do you think that means? Just what is Salvation according to the Word of God? If you were going to lead someone to Christ Jesus, How would you do it? What would you tell them? Repentance from sin is almost forgotten these days, but isn't it important?

Lets form a biblical standard for folk in this Forum who has never witnessed to anyone because they don't know what to say. Everyone should have an idea of how to lead a person to Salvation in Christ Jesus..

You sure said a mouthful brother... Everyone should have an idea of how to lead a person to Salvation in Christ Jesus.

I think if we are honest, about what the scriptures say, we should come to the rightful conclusion, even from just these two passages, that salvation is a process, which begins with a person "repenting".

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14

• The gate is the point of "entry" in which a person enters the way which leads to life.
• The gate is not the final destination, but the "point of entry" to the way that leads to life.

This is a very important topic, and I hope with you moderating, we can honestly examine at this subject from a perspective of hope and truth.



JLB

 

[LovethroughDove]

I hardly hear anyone with my salvation story. I started to ponder the DNA of Jesus after I had felt the words "He is my Son" that led to..........

Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

This is not hard to do if you are given revelation of the actual person who walked the earth.

 

[th1b.taylor]

And LTD, you will, oft, be thought mean spirited for mentioning this truth.

 

[Tony Hyman]

Its a very narrow path as you say Chopper.Sometimes it might even be "fashionable" to be called a Christian, in a wide sense. However Christ sees through real motives and is not fooled by window dressing.."And when you pray , do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.I tell you the truth , they have received their reward in full."Mt.6:5 N.I.V.The narrow path I believe is about consecration (devoting of something or of oneself, concentration (studying the Word) and of course sticking to your guns no matter what with continuation on the narrow path.

 

[Northman]

Who is on the narrow? Good question. As far as the teachers here go I'd venture to say that most eventually expose and disqualify themselves according their own definition of what the "narrow" is. How can one get an idea when things like that are a mess?

For my own opinion? I really haven't had the benefit of living in any society where it was fashionable to even pretend to be a Christian so I haven't seen the scriptures Chopper posted from Matthew in functioning reality.

 

[Chopper]

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

Gates have much significance in the scriptures. I would consider this Pslam statement to be a Messianic overture:

Psalm 9:13
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:

The admonition of Jesus is to follow him. It's the path of one, Jesus, the strait and narrow. And leading to where? Life.

Those who stand on the path of destruction, I might consider are largely unaware of where they are standing, on it.

Over the course of time, believers, perhaps practically but I don't think so, have been taught that in order to "turn" people from eternal damnation/destruction, that they must hold that in front of people's faces in order to scare them into believing in Christ. In the past this activity got so out of hand that people were treated extremely violently and even killed if they did not conform to the "churches" dictates. This is obviously the path of destruction, TO OTHERS.

So, we get these two basic spiritual instruments put in our own hands, death and/or eternal torture, and life. And we quite ill headedly, often, then attempt to bludgeon everyone with the wrong instrument, trying to "turn them" to Jesus. Often even turning this bludgeoning instrument upon other believers or even ourselves, trying to force conformance to some idealistic sets of notions.

I've seen believers do this to each others over a SINGLE WORD. It's pitiful and pathetic. Are such on the path of destruction? Uh, yeah. Quite clearly they have been overwhelmed, by pride, in picking up that spiritual tool. They can't handle it. But think they can. When in fact they have been blindsided and don't see what they are doing to themselves.

So, we use these two basic tools. The threat, and the "alternative choice."

The reality is that both of these tools are to be employed, if we are observing, and applying properly. Just because someone makes and affirmative choice doesn't mean the other instrument, the threat, is put away.

Look at the construction of the unsaved. What should we see?

2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

We should see the captor and the captive. Do we seek to toss the captive to the eternal fires of hell? Uh no. We seek to SAVE them. From who? Uh, from the OTHER.

We've all heard it a million times, hate the sin, love the sinner. But if we are more "tuned in" that hatred is not to the sin, but to the CAPTOR.

Now, if you have the spiritual tool of eternal damnation, WHO in the above construct is going to get the eternal torture GONG? The answer should be obvious to anyone who thinks to use such an instrument, properly. Let us knock off the OBVIOUS party, first, before we set about to burn up the whole pile.

Look again:

Acts 26:
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

You might be saying about this time, if the distinction is not leaping off the page by now, "how could I have been so blind" in seeing only a PERSON? If you are hearing that, Jesus IS talking to you.

Let's look again, even upon ourselves in our prior state:

Ephesians 2:
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Do we see the same thing as the other two scriptures above? Of course. And what do we see? We see again, the captor captive relationship. When we "witness" of Christ we are trying to CHANGE this relationship, by witnessing the LOVE of Jesus to the CAPTIVE, but not the captor. We still need the spiritual tool of eternal damnation to employ to the CORRECT party, particularly if things get 'out of hand' in the witnessing process, and yes, that does happen.

When we "go fishing" for mankind, we will find other beasts in the sea. That's all there is to this matter.

So, what do we expect, when we witness, bearing the LOVE/LIFE of God in Christ to other people? The below IS a reality:

Mark 4:15
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

The Word we sow, in "witnessing" to the captive, is the WORD OF LIFE.

The reason the above happens is because Satan, the CAPTOR, is already HOLDING them as captives. We have to see the captor/captive relationship. Yes, Satan immediately moves to "keep his holding, the captive" by STEALING the Word of LIFE.

If we closely examine our ways, we'd probably find ourselves on the path of destruction, by the sore misuse of the tool of destruction. But of course, we'll still think we're not standing on that path, because we too can be deceived by the enemy of our own soul.

We are to love the person. And we are to call down the captor with the spiritual instrument of eternal damnation, IF we are shown the need to employ same, by Gods Involvement, showing the other party to us.

But if we DO NOT SEE THE DIFFERENCE between these parties, in the captor/captive relationship, we are on the wrong path, and somewhat blind ourselves. Trying to bludgeon the WRONG party.

This is a very accurate assessment of distinguishing between the captive and captor. I really like the way that you explained the two. Back in 1979, I was the Pastor of a Country Baptist Church in Somerville, Maine. Across the street from the parsonage was the Summer home of a Jewish artist from New York City. He and his Jewish Wife and Daughter spent the Summer there. The Pastor before me confronted this Jewish man, the first time they came. This Pastor told him that if he didn't come to believe in Jesus as his Messiah, he'd go to hell.

Needless to say, they never had any more to say to each other. When I arrived in Somerville, I noticed that this Jewish man had to spend several weeks cutting the grass on his front and back yards. I decided that the next year, I'd start mowing his lawn so that it looked real good when he and his family arrived from New York.

After he arrived. he inquired of the head Deacon who lived close by, who mowed the lawn. The Deacon told him it was me. The next day, he came over to greet me and we struck up a great relationship for five years. I always cut his grass, and he and I would have coffee together. I didn't really have to tell him much about Jesus, because he already knew a lot. What he didn't know, he asked me.

He was so impressed with how I treated him, he let his Daughter come to our Sunday services. I don't know if he ever trusted in Jesus as his Messiah, I kinda think he did, especially his Daughter.

The captor Satan, hated me for messing up his chance to strike at this man and family. He tried to stop me several time thru a physical trial. That slowed me down but didn't stop me from showing love to this lost sheep from Israel.

 

[Chopper]

Its a very narrow path as you say Chopper.Sometimes it might even be "fashionable" to be called a Christian, in a wide sense. However Christ sees through real motives and is not fooled by window dressing.."And when you pray , do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.I tell you the truth , they have received their reward in full."Mt.6:5 N.I.V.The narrow path I believe is about consecration (devoting of something or of oneself, concentration (studying the Word) and of course sticking to your guns no matter what with continuation on the narrow path.

Thank you my friend. I liked your "consecration, concentration, and continuation", especially in the Word of God. If it wasn't for the study of the Scriptures each morning, I'd be so weak and useless for the advancement of the Kingdom of God, I'd hate myself.

 

[smaller]

This is a very accurate assessment of distinguishing between the captive and captor. I really like the way that you explained the two. Back in 1979, I was the Pastor of a Country Baptist Church in Somerville, Maine. Across the street from the parsonage was the Summer home of a Jewish artist from New York City. He and his Jewish Wife and Daughter spent the Summer there. The Pastor before me confronted this Jewish man, the first time they came. This Pastor told him that if he didn't come to believe in Jesus as his Messiah, he'd go to hell.

Needless to say, they never had any more to say to each other. When I arrived in Somerville, I noticed that this Jewish man had to spend several weeks cutting the grass on his front and back yards. I decided that the next year, I'd start mowing his lawn so that it looked real good when he and his family arrived from New York.

After he arrived. he inquired of the head Deacon who lived close by, who mowed the lawn. The Deacon told him it was me. The next day, he came over to greet me and we struck up a great relationship for five years. I always cut his grass, and he and I would have coffee together. I didn't really have to tell him much about Jesus, because he already knew a lot. What he didn't know, he asked me.

He was so impressed with how I treated him, he let his Daughter come to our Sunday services. I don't know if he ever trusted in Jesus as his Messiah, I kinda think he did, especially his Daughter.

The captor Satan, hated me for messing up his chance to strike at this man and family. He tried to stop me several time thru a physical trial. That slowed me down but didn't stop me from showing love to this lost sheep from Israel.

Indeed. That is a fantastic account. We are to show them what? His Mercy, as we ourselves received.

Romans 11:
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

Blessed are the merciful for that shall obtain what? Yes, HIS MERCY. Matt. 5:7.

There is a multiplication factor involved with these matters, as we walk INTO them, ourselves. The more we distribute, the more we ourselves get. When we look to and walk in His LIFE, this begins to "multiply."

Mark 4:24
And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

It's easy to tell who doesn't have the mercy of God in Christ, because they aren't merciful themselves to others. What they thought they might have had, because it was not shared, is then in the process of being taken away from them.

25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

 

[Chopper]

Folks seem to believe it is nearly impossible to walk with God, along the Straight Path that leads to the Narrow Gate. That is not true. What is required is not even difficult if one can/will capture their Personal Pride, Bridle it and, just, learn to submit everything to our LORD.

One member of these forums that demands it be recognized they are on the Narrow Path has informed me that I "DO NOT" walk with God because no man can do such a thing.

Of course, a man can do such a thing and the Bible shows us that our Walk With Him is, exactly what God desires from us. In the Creation Story we find God walking with Adam and then in Genesis 5:24 we find Enoch walking with God and he ¿never? died.

It is, correctly, stated that the Gospel I teach is divisive and that is only true because the Gospel, found in the New Testament is divisive, separating sin from Holiness.

When I was of the World I enjoyed the Rotten Fruits it produces ut now I have offered all of me to our LORD and Adultery, Fornication, and such are a great offense to me. Such is not true for most of the membership of the Body, calling themselves the Church.

You are so right old Buddy. I remember studying church history during the very early days of how some of the men led a "seeker" to Jesus. An Elder would spend 7 days with the seeker making sure that he knew about his sin and what repentance really meant. The Elder spent that time making sure that the seeker knew exactly what he had to do once he was saved. Upon a solid foundation of knowledge, and a heartfelt surrender to Christ Jesus, he was Baptized. Those professions usually lasted!!

 

[Chopper]

You sure said a mouthful brother... Everyone should have an idea of how to lead a person to Salvation in Christ Jesus.

I think if we are honest, about what the scriptures say, we should come to the rightful conclusion, even from just these two passages, that salvation is a process, which begins with a person "repenting".

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14

• The gate is the point of "entry" in which a person enters the way which leads to life.
• The gate is not the final destination, but the "point of entry" to the way that leads to life.

This is a very important topic, and I hope with you moderating, we can honestly examine at this subject from a perspective of hope and truth.



JLB

Thank you my old friend. Yes, I do hope that some younger folk who have never witnessed to a lost soul could learn some truths to encourage them to witness. I remember taking one of my Deacons out witnessing one evening. I led an owner of a lumber trucking organization to Christ Jesus. It took about 3 hours. He thanked me several times because he never knew how to do it.

 

[JLB]

Acts 26:
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Yes once free from the power of Satan, we are free to walk in the Spirit, and have authority over the evil one.

We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18



JLB

 

[smaller]

Yes once free from the power of Satan, we are free to walk in the Spirit, and have authority over the evil one.

We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18

JLB

I reject any claims by anyone that they are not tempted, internally, when Law meets mind. Romans 7:7-13 and really, the entire chapter 7 of Romans, is clear how this works. Paul's conclusions for himself in Romans are also OUR conclusions for ourselves.

The bed of unmerited Grace and Mercy in Christ are formed because of our state, presently, which Paul precisely pinpoints.

The instant we proclaim ourselves as sinless, we have fallen HARD into hypocrisy, the very thing Jesus hates and warned His disciples about FIRST.

Luke 12:1
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

It's a common black hole.

 

[Chopper]

I reject any claims by anyone that they are not tempted, internally, when Law meets mind. Romans 7:7-13 and really, the entire chapter 7 of Romans, is clear how this works. Paul's conclusions for himself in Romans are also OUR conclusions for ourselves.

The bed of unmerited Grace and Mercy in Christ are formed because of our state, presently, which Paul precisely pinpoints.

The instant we proclaim ourselves as sinless, we have fallen HARD into hypocrisy, the very thing Jesus hates and warned His disciples about FIRST.

Luke 12:1
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

It's a common black hole.

It certainly is, a black hole my friend. I just got home from the hospital having an upper and lower endoscopy. There was a threat of cancer, but the tests showed no cancer or other problems. Now I have to gain back some of the 55 lbs. I lost.

 

[JLB]

I reject any claims by anyone that they are not tempted, internally, when Law meets mind. Romans 7:7-13 and really, the entire chapter 7 of Romans, is clear how this works. Paul's conclusions for himself in Romans are also OUR conclusions for ourselves.

The bed of unmerited Grace and Mercy in Christ are formed because of our state, presently, which Paul precisely pinpoints.

The instant we proclaim ourselves as sinless, we have fallen HARD into hypocrisy, the very thing Jesus hates and warned His disciples about FIRST.

Luke 12:1
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

It's a common black hole.

Your not even addressing the scriptures or the actual subject, but are trying to create another subject, and answering questions from that subject, as if that is the discussion.

Pure logical fallacy.

Here is the scripture you posted -

Acts 26:
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Based on your scripture that you quoted and I agree with: We are delivered from the power of Satan, unto God.

We are no longer his captives who are bound under his domain.

• We have entered the narrow gate and have all things that pertain to life and godliness, in order to stay on the narrow way that leads to life.

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13

Now we have the power, to keep ourselves and the evil one can not touch us.

18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18

If we do sin, then we can confess our sins to Him and He is faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9


We are discussing the narrow way we leads to life and how to go about staying on it.

If you have something to contribute to the thread about the narrow road the leads to life, then please share it with the thread.


If you disagree with the scriptures I have quoted, then address the part you disagree with, don't attempt to derail the thread.



JLB

 

[gr8grace3]

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

After thinking about these two verses a while, I began to really take another look at V.14. "Few there be that find it." Really!! Few? and compared to "Many who go to destruction? I don't know what you folk think about this, but I think this is quite serious.

There are so many folk who profess to be born again. Then we have Scriptures like...
John 2:23 "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
2:25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."
AND
Matthew 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.
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?
7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

I'm wondering if you folk have some thoughts you'd like to share about what you feel is a biblical Salvation. We live in a time of what's called "Easy believe-ism" I know for a fact that some Baptist Church Pastors have a need to have the most new converts each month and Baptisms. It's like a contest to see who can convert the most....That's very sad in my book.

We have these television Pastors who preach psychology rather than the Gospel. Make the people feel good, don't talk about sin.

The gate is NARROW few enter that gate, few!! What do you think that means? Just what is Salvation according to the Word of God? If you were going to lead someone to Christ Jesus, How would you do it? What would you tell them? Repentance from sin is almost forgotten these days, but isn't it important?

Lets form a biblical standard for folk in this Forum who has never witnessed to anyone because they don't know what to say. Everyone should have an idea of how to lead a person to Salvation in Christ Jesus.


.

Easy believism. From my experience that is the false gospel of "Ask Jesus into your heart," "ask Jesus to come into your life ," Make Jesus lord of your life,"Repent of all of your sins," "clean up your life and act like a christian," Accept Jesus into your life." and many others.

Few make it because it is as easy as believing that The Lord Jesus Christ died and paid for your sins and rose again for you....personally. And It is Him alone that secured that salvation the moment we believe. It's to easy........that's why few make it. They never put their trust ENTIRELY in Christ and His Finished work........the straight gate.

Acts 16:31

 

[JLB]

Easy believism. From my experience that is the false gospel of "Ask Jesus into your heart," "ask Jesus to come into your life ," Make Jesus lord of your life,"Repent of all of your sins," "clean up your life and act like a christian," Accept Jesus into your life." and many others.

Few make it because it is as easy as believing that The Lord Jesus Christ died and paid for your sins and rose again for you....personally. And It is Him alone that secured that salvation the moment we believe. It's to easy........that's why few make it. They never put their trust ENTIRELY in Christ and His Finished work........the straight gate.

Acts 16:31

... because it is as easy as believing that The Lord Jesus Christ died and paid for your sins and rose again for you....personally.

Believing is how we enter the narrow gate. That may be the easy part.

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.. Matthew 7:14


What lies ahead is the difficult road the leads to life.

Notice it says... leads to life.

Notice it doesn't say, when you enter the gate at the beginning of the road, you automatically have eternal life.

...difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.



JLB