PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 13:22-27
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.” (Luke 13:24)
Jesus is asked about how many or few will be saved.
He turns this question into a warning: just be sure that you are!
He then talks about those who claim to know him but don’t.
They seem to be religious, and appear to be ‘christians’.
And yet Jesus recognizes them by how they live: they’re evildoers (v.27)!
Following Jesus involves following the Jesus Way, which is not easy.
This is the narrow way of humility and grace, of serving others.
Those who live for themselves show that they don’t know Jesus.
It is not religious activities that identity Jesus followers.
“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:6)
We can’t do this perfectly, but are we making the effort (v.24)?
If I want to know Jesus, and to be known by Jesus, I need to follow him.
Humbly, graciously, sincerely, persistently – to follow the way of love.
Am I making every effort to live this way?
PRAYER
Lord, you did not save me or call me to be religious, but to follow the narrow way of love. Help me by your Spirit to make every effort to follow you this way.
Jesus said (as recorded in John 14: 6) “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the narrow gate – but it is He that stands at the gate and welcomes all who believe. I may pass through that narrow gate. The good news is that anyone who believes in Jesus can also. It’s not religious practice or traditions – it just Jesus. Help me Lord not to lose sight of that and then to live a grace filled forgiven life – ready to forgive others and invite them to to find the ‘way’ – especially since it is the narrow way!
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the LIFE.
Walk in His Way and not your/my own. To be a Jesus follower means to be like Jesus, like the Master an do as He did. The way to lie is summarized by this law – love God; love one another. I need His strengthening power and guidance to live for Jesus every day. I need Him every to guide me along the way.
1 I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
2 I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh. [Refrain]
3 I need Thee ev’ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain. [Refrain]
4 I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill. [Refrain]