meaning of MAKE EVERY EFFORT (or strive) to enter in through the narrow gate.
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“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber....I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:1, 9). Back to verse 24: “for many...will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Why? Because they’re going the wrong way. 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.” Christ is telling the inquirer, “Yes, few will be saved.” Saved people have never been a majority anywhere at any time since Jesus died on the cross. Of course, “MANY...will seek to enter in”; boy, will they seek to make it. You can tell people anything to do to get saved in their own efforts to make it to Heaven, and they’ll try it.
When it comes right down to it, the difference between Biblical Christianity (get that! I didn’t say Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox. I said BIBLICAL Christianity) and any other religion in the world—I don’t care which one it is; take your pick. One will damn you just as quickly as the others—is this: every other religion in the world (that would be Hinduism, Buddhism, animism, Islam, Catholicism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, etc.) says do this and don’t do that and you might make it. In Biblical Christianity, you don’t do nothing .In Biblical Christianity, you’re shot; you’re ruined; and no matter what you do, it won’t amount to a hill of beans. In Biblical Christianity, you have to accept what Someone else did for you.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber....I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:1, 9). Back to verse 24: “for many...will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Why? Because they’re going the wrong way. 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.” Christ is telling the inquirer, “Yes, few will be saved.” Saved people have never been a majority anywhere at any time since Jesus died on the cross. Of course, “MANY...will seek to enter in”; boy, will they seek to make it. You can tell people anything to do to get saved in their own efforts to make it to Heaven, and they’ll try it.
When it comes right down to it, the difference between Biblical Christianity (get that! I didn’t say Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox. I said BIBLICAL Christianity) and any other religion in the world—I don’t care which one it is; take your pick. One will damn you just as quickly as the others—is this: every other religion in the world (that would be Hinduism, Buddhism, animism, Islam, Catholicism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, etc.) says do this and don’t do that and you might make it. In Biblical Christianity, you don’t do nothing .In Biblical Christianity, you’re shot; you’re ruined; and no matter what you do, it won’t amount to a hill of beans. In Biblical Christianity, you have to accept what Someone else did for you.
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Seems as if the word "strive" here is meant to convey the idea that we're struging in warfare or an athletic competition.
It could be talking about struggling as in spiritual warfare:
Ephesians 6:12
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Or maybe it's in reference to keeping the faith:
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Or both...
G75 agónizomai
Strong's Concordance
Original Word: ἀγωνίζομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: agónizomai
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee)
Definition: to contend for a prize, struggle
Usage: I am struggling, striving (as in an athletic contest or warfare); I contend, as with an adversary.
It could be talking about struggling as in spiritual warfare:
Ephesians 6:12
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Or maybe it's in reference to keeping the faith:
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Or both...
G75 agónizomai
Strong's Concordance
agónizomai: to contend for a prize, struggleOriginal Word: ἀγωνίζομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: agónizomai
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee)
Definition: to contend for a prize, struggle
Usage: I am struggling, striving (as in an athletic contest or warfare); I contend, as with an adversary.
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G75
ἀγωνίζομαι
agōnizomai
ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee
From G73; to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or generally (to endeavor to accomplish something): - fight, labor fervently, strive.
Total KJV occurrences: 7
It means what it appears in English to mean. Just make an effort to accomplish the correct thing which in this case means to working to make sure you are on the narrow road heading to that narrow gate that most don't make it to.
ἀγωνίζομαι
agōnizomai
ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee
From G73; to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or generally (to endeavor to accomplish something): - fight, labor fervently, strive.
Total KJV occurrences: 7
It means what it appears in English to mean. Just make an effort to accomplish the correct thing which in this case means to working to make sure you are on the narrow road heading to that narrow gate that most don't make it to.
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The key to understanding this response by Jesus is to first start by considering the question he was asked: “Lord, are only a few going to be saved?”
Next, note what he says after the portion you quoted: “… because I am telling you that many will try to go in and will not be able.”
You probably are aware of this “few” “many” contrast in Scripture, e.g., “many are called but few are chosen.”
The other key word to notice in the question Jesus was asked is the word “saved.” As you read the remainder of Jesus’ response, you’ll understand that he is talking about being saved on Judgment Day.
Sadly, too many Christians don’t understand that the plan of salvation is a three-part process. The blueprint is as follows: when we are born again, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), then we grow and mature as we are being saved in our walk of obedience (1 Corinthians 1:18; Philippians 2:12), and lastly, we, the faithful to the end who have done the good works of God, will be saved on Judgment Day (Ephesians 2:10; James 2:12-14; Hebrews 9:28).
I think you’ll find this video by Brother Kel very helpful concerning these matters.
Next, note what he says after the portion you quoted: “… because I am telling you that many will try to go in and will not be able.”
You probably are aware of this “few” “many” contrast in Scripture, e.g., “many are called but few are chosen.”
The other key word to notice in the question Jesus was asked is the word “saved.” As you read the remainder of Jesus’ response, you’ll understand that he is talking about being saved on Judgment Day.
Sadly, too many Christians don’t understand that the plan of salvation is a three-part process. The blueprint is as follows: when we are born again, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), then we grow and mature as we are being saved in our walk of obedience (1 Corinthians 1:18; Philippians 2:12), and lastly, we, the faithful to the end who have done the good works of God, will be saved on Judgment Day (Ephesians 2:10; James 2:12-14; Hebrews 9:28).
I think you’ll find this video by Brother Kel very helpful concerning these matters.
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It mean not easy, one must carry the cross.
Only few will,be find it
Matt 7:14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
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.
Matt 25
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
Lot of surprise, people on the left go to hell, verse 43 indicate they are think they will go to heaven.
May be this group misunderstood what is faith, they think as long as believe Jesus as God, they go to heaven
Jesus say no, you need to do the will of the Father, love Jesus and love fellow human, helping the poor.
Only few will,be find it
Matt 7:14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
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.
Matt 25
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
Lot of surprise, people on the left go to hell, verse 43 indicate they are think they will go to heaven.
May be this group misunderstood what is faith, they think as long as believe Jesus as God, they go to heaven
Jesus say no, you need to do the will of the Father, love Jesus and love fellow human, helping the poor.
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Your claim of a progression to salvation is false, once a person hears, believes, they are sealed by the Holy Spirit, this is until the day of redemption (Eternal Security) in the Fathers Hand
Ephesians 1:13KJV
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 4:30KJV
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Ephesians 1:13KJV
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 4:30KJV
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
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We, humans, overthink things too much. Perhaps the question is, what if I'm [not] "making every effort"?
Are we thinking of this or do we choose to shove our heads into the proverbial sand on this matter? What does it mean, exactly, when we find that we are the utter opposite of what a Christian is supposed to be? And why is it so difficult to simply just say . . . "I give in. I know for a fact that my Heart has not been Circumcised by Christ. I give up."
It won't be until we have received the Spiritual Circumcision of Christ that a person will be Enabled to "make every effort."
Colossians 2:11 NLT - "When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision--the cutting away of your sinful nature."
This, of course, is the fulfilled of the near exact prophetic statement by God Himself, when He said:
Ezekiel 36:25-27 NLT - "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations."
Did you catch that little caveat? God will give us a New Heart and Spirit . . . SO THAT . . . we will obey, or, "make every effort." So then . . . what [does] it Truly mean if we are not "making every effort"? According to Scripture, it seems clear that it means that the Lord hasn't given "you" a New Heart SO THAT "you" can and will obey.
I wish someone would have taught me these clear, Scriptural things when I was a child. I wouldn't have hurt as many people as I did. Had I known that I was not saved, so many people, especially women, would have been spared.
Are we thinking of this or do we choose to shove our heads into the proverbial sand on this matter? What does it mean, exactly, when we find that we are the utter opposite of what a Christian is supposed to be? And why is it so difficult to simply just say . . . "I give in. I know for a fact that my Heart has not been Circumcised by Christ. I give up."
It won't be until we have received the Spiritual Circumcision of Christ that a person will be Enabled to "make every effort."
Colossians 2:11 NLT - "When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision--the cutting away of your sinful nature."
This, of course, is the fulfilled of the near exact prophetic statement by God Himself, when He said:
Ezekiel 36:25-27 NLT - "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations."
Did you catch that little caveat? God will give us a New Heart and Spirit . . . SO THAT . . . we will obey, or, "make every effort." So then . . . what [does] it Truly mean if we are not "making every effort"? According to Scripture, it seems clear that it means that the Lord hasn't given "you" a New Heart SO THAT "you" can and will obey.
I wish someone would have taught me these clear, Scriptural things when I was a child. I wouldn't have hurt as many people as I did. Had I known that I was not saved, so many people, especially women, would have been spared.
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The Ezekiel passage isn't referring to us . Its referring to Israel . But I agree with you on the spiritual circumcision( Which is not what Ezekiel is referring to. There is no mention of ' heart , stony , flesh ect in the passage about the ' operation of Christ ' . Although some of the language 'seems' to fit, its not referring to the same thing. )
And I believe a person in Christ is not 'Striving to enter in ' . He's already in . He's already found the way . Jesus.
And I believe a person in Christ is not 'Striving to enter in ' . He's already in . He's already found the way . Jesus.
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if we shut ourselves down from any part of scripture by deciding it's not for us but for others out there (some other kind of people -- out there) then we also could be -- at the very same time shutting down the Spirit's ability to speak to us through it; when instead, we are supposed to grow in Christ always (all ways) -- all of our lives. not to shut down ourselves in our own chosen teachings and/or beliefs about Christ.
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