All posts by Larry

Praise God

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

When you open yourself up to God two things happen. One is exposure to self. You see yourself for what you are which causes you to understand the need for repentance and confession. You have to make a choice to respond to that awareness. It isn’t performed by awareness alone.

The second is exposure to God. What God shows you will always have purpose. What you do with that knowledge is a matter of choice also. Is it meant just for me? Is it meant for another? Is it sound, is it real or imagined? The answer to that might come from a deep personal relationship with God. The answers might come from fellow believers.

Fellowship within the body of Christ implies a closeness and awareness of each other. We develop the ability to see each other in the natural and in the spirit. Grace is extended to the natural and praise is given to the spirit for He is God. What we share in the body which is spirit will always serve us according to God’s purpose, His will.

Did it comfort? Did it clarify? Did it exhort? Did it edify? Did it confirm? Did it give you peace? Did it set you free? Then praise God for He has touched you by touching fellow members of the one body.

You are part of something bigger than self.

 

The Strait Gate

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

The perceptions of the natural mind might lead you to believe that finding salvation is difficult. If no one ever explained to you the concept of the narrow way and the strait gate as it related to the beliefs of the times, it would be easy to misunderstand.

The narrow way and the strait gate are indicators of individual salvation. Only one person could find safety at a time. The concept of individual salvation was totally foreign to Israel at the time. They had a national identity and they were looking for the Messiah to come and save them from Rome as a nation. Jesus was telling them that their expectation was wrong. The broad way was the false expectations of national salvation. Many longed for that and they would not look for the narrow way.

As for the strait gate, a strait gate does not bind or hang up, it is easily opened. The strait gate opens to the inside welcoming you in, bidding you enter. If it did not it would hinder your entering in.

As for the few find it, let me point out a little secret. Few find it on their own. Most of us need to have someone tell us where salvation is found. The concept of few is not in the number finding salvation but finding on your own.

Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Will you share the way to salvation?