IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS NOT SO
By Kunbi Ajayi
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14) (The Living Bible)
All believers are called to walk in the narrow way to enter through the straight gate that leads to life. The conditions to walk on this narrow way are so stringent and the Lord Jesus Christ has set these in the Scriptures. We shall be looking at some of the conditions and look at our lives where we seem to have deviated. The Lord will help us to make necessary adjustments in Jesus Name.
As Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 5:6, He is still teaching us, the present day disciples, that “happy are those who long to be just and good for they shall be completely satisfied.” A disciple gets completely satisfied only from being just and righteous and not from any other thing. That was the way it was in the beginning. But we should ask ourselves. Is it the same way with us as Christians today? Do we still long to be just and good? Are we thirsty for righteousness? Without this it may be difficult for us to continue the walk on this narrow way of life.
For “you are the world’s seasoning to make it tolerable; if you lose your flavour what will happen to the world?” (Matthew 5: 13) If we don’t retain the purity that God demands, we loose our flavour; we cannot season this world and make it tolerable. Else we would be thrown out and trampled under foot as worthless. Our lives should declare righteousness and speak volume for the God. At the beginning, the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ live a life that declares to everyone that these ones are different and had been with Christ. Everywhere they go, men were touched and changed; consciences are pricked and lives were made different.
Don’t you as a child of God hide your light? Even though Christ commands that we should let it shine for all to see, so that they will praise our heavenly Father?
But I warn you brethren “unless your goodness is greater than that of the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders you can’t get into the kingdom of heaven at all.” (Matthew 5: 20)
We must get into that kingdom, that is when all our shouting, our praising, our saying Jesus is Lord will be worth it.
He is now asking us, “so why do you call me Lord when you won’t obey me?” (Mark 6:46). We often disregard His commandment because it doesn’t look safe, secure, easy and acceptable to the world. He wants to be the centre focus; He wants our dependence on Him to be ultimate, total and complete. That is why “He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic” (Luke 9: 2-3) (compare Luke 10: 4).
Remember no need for a bag for the disciples in the beginning.
When we are called to follow Him, that call demands on us to put aside our own desires and conveniences and carry our cross with us every day and keep close to Him (Luke 9:23). “For anyone who lets himself be obstructed from the work I plan for him is not fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9: 62).
A disciple should gain satisfaction only through being just and righteous; it is not for him to run after the riches of this world. He is warned: "Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own." Luke 12:15
Jesus said, "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. For life consists of far more than food and clothing”. (Luke 12:22-23)
He will always give you all you need from day to day if you make the God your primary concern.
“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:17-20).
Thank God for the benefits of the name of Jesus Christ; thank God for authority we have as believers.
However, the important thing is not that demons obey you but that your names are registered as citizens of heaven.
What about the place of authority and humility in the disciple’s life; is he master or servant?
Jesus Christ demonstrated what we ought to be; “So He got up and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with towel he had around Him” (John 13:6).
“After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing? You call me `Teacher' and `Lord,' and you are right, because it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them.You know these things--now do them! That is the path of blessing.” (John 13: 12-17)
“For I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener, He chops off every branch that did not produce and He prunes every branch that bears fruit for even larger crops. He has already tended you by pruning you for greater strength and usefulness by means of the commands I gave you”
“Take care to live in me and let me live in you, for apart from me you can’t do a thing, my true disciples produce bountiful harvest and this brings great glory to my Father, I have told you this so that you will live in my joy, yes your cup of joy will over flow” (John 15:1-5, 8,11)
These are very hard sayings (John 6:60). “And at this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him. Are you going too?” (John 6:66-67)
“Remember what happens to Lots wife” (Luke 17:32). “For I come quickly and my reward is with me to repay to every man according to his work” (Rev. 22:12). “Let those who can hear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches” (Rev. 3:22).
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By Kunbi Ajayi
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14) (The Living Bible)
All believers are called to walk in the narrow way to enter through the straight gate that leads to life. The conditions to walk on this narrow way are so stringent and the Lord Jesus Christ has set these in the Scriptures. We shall be looking at some of the conditions and look at our lives where we seem to have deviated. The Lord will help us to make necessary adjustments in Jesus Name.
As Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 5:6, He is still teaching us, the present day disciples, that “happy are those who long to be just and good for they shall be completely satisfied.” A disciple gets completely satisfied only from being just and righteous and not from any other thing. That was the way it was in the beginning. But we should ask ourselves. Is it the same way with us as Christians today? Do we still long to be just and good? Are we thirsty for righteousness? Without this it may be difficult for us to continue the walk on this narrow way of life.
For “you are the world’s seasoning to make it tolerable; if you lose your flavour what will happen to the world?” (Matthew 5: 13) If we don’t retain the purity that God demands, we loose our flavour; we cannot season this world and make it tolerable. Else we would be thrown out and trampled under foot as worthless. Our lives should declare righteousness and speak volume for the God. At the beginning, the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ live a life that declares to everyone that these ones are different and had been with Christ. Everywhere they go, men were touched and changed; consciences are pricked and lives were made different.
Don’t you as a child of God hide your light? Even though Christ commands that we should let it shine for all to see, so that they will praise our heavenly Father?
But I warn you brethren “unless your goodness is greater than that of the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders you can’t get into the kingdom of heaven at all.” (Matthew 5: 20)
We must get into that kingdom, that is when all our shouting, our praising, our saying Jesus is Lord will be worth it.
He is now asking us, “so why do you call me Lord when you won’t obey me?” (Mark 6:46). We often disregard His commandment because it doesn’t look safe, secure, easy and acceptable to the world. He wants to be the centre focus; He wants our dependence on Him to be ultimate, total and complete. That is why “He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic” (Luke 9: 2-3) (compare Luke 10: 4).
Remember no need for a bag for the disciples in the beginning.
When we are called to follow Him, that call demands on us to put aside our own desires and conveniences and carry our cross with us every day and keep close to Him (Luke 9:23). “For anyone who lets himself be obstructed from the work I plan for him is not fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9: 62).
A disciple should gain satisfaction only through being just and righteous; it is not for him to run after the riches of this world. He is warned: "Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own." Luke 12:15
Jesus said, "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. For life consists of far more than food and clothing”. (Luke 12:22-23)
He will always give you all you need from day to day if you make the God your primary concern.
“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:17-20).
Thank God for the benefits of the name of Jesus Christ; thank God for authority we have as believers.
However, the important thing is not that demons obey you but that your names are registered as citizens of heaven.
What about the place of authority and humility in the disciple’s life; is he master or servant?
Jesus Christ demonstrated what we ought to be; “So He got up and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with towel he had around Him” (John 13:6).
“After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing? You call me `Teacher' and `Lord,' and you are right, because it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them.You know these things--now do them! That is the path of blessing.” (John 13: 12-17)
“For I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener, He chops off every branch that did not produce and He prunes every branch that bears fruit for even larger crops. He has already tended you by pruning you for greater strength and usefulness by means of the commands I gave you”
“Take care to live in me and let me live in you, for apart from me you can’t do a thing, my true disciples produce bountiful harvest and this brings great glory to my Father, I have told you this so that you will live in my joy, yes your cup of joy will over flow” (John 15:1-5, 8,11)
These are very hard sayings (John 6:60). “And at this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him. Are you going too?” (John 6:66-67)
“Remember what happens to Lots wife” (Luke 17:32). “For I come quickly and my reward is with me to repay to every man according to his work” (Rev. 22:12). “Let those who can hear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches” (Rev. 3:22).
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