On The Narrow Gate
Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus said about The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the
gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through
it.
14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that
leads to life, and only a few find it.
Just after saying not to judge other but to ask, seek and
knock the things of God. Jesus said this. He said this because even though he
being the Son of God many did not believe in him. And many who believed him did
not confess him as the Son Of God.
John 12:37-43
Belief and Unbelief Among the Jews
37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in
their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the
word of Isaiah the prophet:
“Lord, who has believed our message
and to whom
has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as
Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened
their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor
understand with their hearts,
nor turn—and
I would heal them.”
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and
spoke about him.
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders
believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge
their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;
43 for they loved human praise more than praise from
God.
Matthew 19
New International Version (NIV)
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked,
“Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus
replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the
commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not
commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony,
19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your
neighbor as yourself.”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What
do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go,
sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in
heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad,
because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell
you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go
through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom
of God.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly
astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is
impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to
follow you! What then will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the
renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who
have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of
Israel.
29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or
sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will
receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
30 But many who are first will be last, and many who
are last will be first.
In the book The Road Less Travelled – Scott Peck says
about Delayed gratification, or deferred gratification, is the ability to
resist the temptation for an immediate reward and wait for a later reward.
Generally, delayed gratification is associated with resisting a smaller but
more immediate reward in order to receive a larger or more enduring reward
later.
Jesus says in John 5: 41 “I do not
accept glory from human beings.”
Hebrews 12
(NIV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great
cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that
so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for
us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter
of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from
sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
John 14 (NIV)
Jesus the Way to the Father
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you
are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as
well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Have a Narrowed Way and Blessed Day Ahead
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