All We Have
“Strive to enter in at the
strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be
able (Lk. 13:24).”
There is
considerable thought, effort, devotion, and determined exertion involved in being a true Christian.
As you are aware, we are called to deny self and endure:
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it (Mt. 16:24-25).”
Self-denial involves yielding yourself to the purposes and plans of God - His
kingdom, His way. The Apostle Paul
states:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Gal. 2:20).”
In so doing, we can find our true life.
The life we gain in yielding to Christ is the absolute best and most
magnificent, because it is the one we were created to fulfill!
So how does exertion and effort apply, in the sense of Jacob wrestling with a
heavenly man (Gen. 32:24; Hos. 12:3-4)? Jesus
explains so very well in saying:
“The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it (Lk. 16:16).”
So by the mercies of God, we are to employ all of our faculties and desire to
press our way forward in accordance with His word. Please observe the
following instruction:
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (II Cor. 10:5);”
Just as the children of Israel fought to conquer the Canaanites and obtain their inheritance in the promise land, we are to fight to obtain our inheritance in His Kingdom. Deny self and fight against inordinate desires (Col. 3:5; Mt. 5:29-30); the world (I Jn. 2:15); the enemy (Lk. 4:8); and win through faith and trust in Jesus Christ (I Jn. 5:4). Be zealous (and even fierce) when it comes to taking what’s yours, the true riches (Lk. 16:11-12).
We are to also understand that taking up our cross involves suffering.
The scripture speaks of Apostles Paul and Barnabas in shepherding certain
disciples:
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).”
Hence, we must be determined, resolute, convinced, to the point that nothing (person,
ego, ambition) is placed over or before the things of God (Mt. 5:29-30).
Note in the parable of the Sower (Mt.
13), those who did not endure or continue:
1.
Received seed by the way side - allowed the wicked one to catch away that which
was sown in their heart (Mt. 13:19).
2.
Received seed in stony places – didn’t allow the word to have root and became
offended when tribulation or persecution arose because of the word (Mt. 13:21).
3.
Received seed among thorns – allowed the word to be choked because of the cares
of this life and the deceitfulness of riches (Mt. 13:22).
In these instances, the Word was not valued above all else.
Just as Eve and her son Cain didn’t value God’s word above all else, they
did not honor God or what He spoke (Gen. 3:3; 4:7).
We must allow the grace of God to work in our lives in the timing that He
has afforded and not become caught up in being a dishonoring person that will sell
their birthright (Heb. 12:16) for worthless things of the world or trinkets
encompassing the deceitfulness of riches.
In order to strive correctly, we must come to realize the infinite value of
what we are laboring to obtain.
Honor him, love him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12:30) to
enter in. Remember, if you delight
yourself in the Lord, he will give you more of Him (Ps. 37:4).
Lord Bless.