It Might Surprise You To Know #2
DISCLAIMER:
These explanations are not necessarily the views and opinions of all or even any on the Bold Grace Team other than myself. (Geo)
2. I believe: It is hard to Enter through the narrow gate. (Matt. 7)
3. I believe: That wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. (Matt. 7)
4. I believe: That small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matt. 7)
Jesus said in Matthew 7: Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
First let me start by asking a question…. What is Jesus talking about “entering” here?
I was taught in my evangelical days that the passage was talking about two places. Those that entered through the narrow and small gate were entering into the kingdom of heaven. But those who entered the wide and broad way were entering into hell. And that “ENTERING INTO LIFE” meant entering into heaven. But a closer examination of these passages says something quite different and life giving. Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. If you read it slowly and carefully you will see that BOTH the narrow gate and the broad way are entering into the same thing! He does NOT say the narrow gate leads into one place and the wide and broad way lead to another! He does say that there are few who find the small gate and narrow way and those enter in. He does say that there are many who take the wide and broad way and they ALSO enter in! His advice here is to enter in through the small narrow gate and not through the wide broad way.
So what are these two ways? Just this………. The small gate and narrow way is only one thing, GRACE! And there are few who find it when compared to the wide & broad way. So what is the wide & broad way that many or most enter in through? LAWS, RULES & REGULATIONS. And how many religions have them? ALL do. Every religion that I know of has some types of rules or practices you must follow in order to be close to God or the God Nature. That road is VERY WIDE & BROAD and it leads to the destruction of self and the adherents enter through it. The Small & Narrow way of Grace Alone is the hardest thing and way to live in this realm! Why is it hard? Because the human psyche above ALL THINGS wants to be justified by what it does, says or accomplishes. Everything in life from the time we are born teaches and reinforces this. Examples of this are, Children are told, “If you are a good boy daddy will buy you that new fire truck.” Or “If you are a good girl mommy will buy you a Barbie Doll.” Or this, “ If you don’t quit doing that I am going to punish you.” Then as adults, “Johnny if you can get this done on time we will give you the rest of the week off with pay. “ or “Johnny if this is not done on time your services will no longer be needed by this company.” I know these are generic things but you get the meaning. We are taught by the world from the cradle to the grave, “Do Good, Get Good, Do Bad, Get Beat” In the end this leads to destruction of a person. Or they become a driven self-centered egotistical maniac without even being aware of it.
The other small & narrow way is GRACE and it is very hard to enter in through. Grace says the only thing is GRACE! When you are wronged by another you give GRACE. When you wrong someone else you give yourself GRACE. If you think that is not a small and narrow gate then go see if you can find it in everyday in every situation! You see in this life we will use both gates and ways. Some days I use and can find the Narrow Way (Grace) very clearly. Other days I could not find the Small Gate (GRACE) If I tripped over it! Some days I enjoy trying to make others take the Broad way! Does that surprise you? It shouldn’t because you do to! Some days I love to try and help others see the Small Gate and so do you. So in the end both ways will enter into heaven and we all with great awe will stand together before Him who loved use and gave Himself for us that we might be one with Him as He is one with The Father. At least that is my belief at this time in my life. And as always let me add, I could be full of shit! Hahaha!
Standing at The Gates
Geo
It would seem then, that the clearer our understanding of God’s grace becomes , the more obvious the small gate will be…
Geo
I think(in my mind that is), there never even was a Gate. But hey if you need one, be it narrow or wide, go for it.
The one thing I do know is that there is consequence to my actions, now whether that continues after I die or not has yet to be answered. Lots of different opinions, one thing though, we wont know for sure until we kicked the Big Freaking Bucket. So with that said, I will go with what I know, Consequence for my actions, period!
John T.
bold step there John T, also Geo I don’t think you are full of shit, not totally anyway
In the spirit of it all you are both correct, living the narrow gate is living in such a way as to love others with reckless abandon, not counting the cost to self, for me it also means understanding we as humanity are all equal, regardless of race, religion, color, sexuality etc… Do you realize this was far, far from the norm thinking of Jesus day and sadly this tribal mentality hasn’t changed much over the centuries since, although it has some and we can atleast be glad for that.
As humanity progresses perhaps the “narrow gate” will become the “broad and wide” gate, and the ignorance/prejudice gate will be the “narrow”, like Geo says, this has nothing to do with following rules or trying to live up to some standard set up by religious thinking. Like John T says we reap what we sow, this is the plain truth, the consequences of how we live our lives/treat others are very real, for better or for worse this is how it is, generally speaking. Should we really be concerning ourselves with some mythological afterlife here? If there happens to be some “being on the other side” I meet up with when I pass then so be it, I expect though for now its wasted time considering such, especially when we have the opportunity in the here and now to live fully, a tangible reality with no regard to religious doctrines of reward or punishment. Life after death is nothing more than a religious construct, created to either sooth or punish those it sees fit, when I pass on I expect nothing but everlasting rest (as would be the state of non existence), with the hope to live on in the hearts of those whose lives were shared.
Peace to ya’ll !
Don
I think you’re right, Don. And I think that’s what Jesus was saying all along. Why worry? Why worry what’s on the other side? If our admission to whatever is there is determined by “what we do” then we’re all sunk… even JohnT. We’ve all screwed up, and we will continue to screw up. Perfection of the flesh is not an option in this lifetime, on this planet. I don’t care if you’re the pope! You’re a big screwup!
Our attempts at self-righteousness tell us that we should “at least try” to do good, and gain acceptance from God. But, in our advanced years, we look back on those attempts, and reality sets in. An honest look at our lives shows, without any doubt, and we screwed it up.
So, you’re right… why worry? We have no say in what happens next, if anything happens at all. If we think we’re somehow making points toward admission to the big funhouse in the sky, we’re just fooling ourselves. Either it will happen because of the Creator’s mercy and kindness, or it won’t.
Here at Boldgrace this gospel truly open up the heart and mind to look at this wonderful gospel in a new way the way of love and grace.
Geo, you are surely not full of shit but of love and grace.
SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD EXPLANATION TO ME!
I hope all of you are doing okay, I’m still
around and semi-sane, so I suppose that’s
a good thing….
Shalom from Texas,
Nancy
Bruce
There you go with your good ole christian brain thinking, all or nothing, black or white. The point Im trying make is maybe, consequence has a longer life span than just our “physical reality”, maybe just maybe we reap what we sow after we die too. Maybe its not all hunky dory after our Body is Dead. Maybe what you do now will affect your soul and other peoples souls. Not forever and ever but definately for some period of time. My belief is based on my experience, not what I hope it to be, but what I see it to be. So if I do base some of it on Faith, then my faith is that we live forever and what we do during that forever has Consequence. Heaven and Hell………just an extension of Mans limited thinking. Why not Just Life? Both physical and non physical?
maybe we ought not worry about the maybes.
since quitting religion and its faith system of doctrines and holy infallible books I have entered in life love and laugh, may the free spirit that was in Christ Jesus guide me on, amen
Don
Don,
DAMN I miss you! I sure hope I can get down that way sometime before the summer is over! I LOVE YOUR SPIRIT & HEART! Your words always lift me higher.
Peace
Geo
Maybe God gives us what we want. And if we convince ourselves that we are unworthy (or could be unworthy) of spending eternity enjoying Life with Him, maybe He will grant us our worst fears.
I don’t believe that though, and I think that when we experience His glory, and have no doubts about His love toward us, our fears will melt away. When doubt and fear are absent from our lives, we will be in heaven. I think that’s what Jesus wanted for us, even in this place. Why wait for the crossing, when the same deepness of Life is here for us now, if we will only awaken to it.
Heaven is very near… even just a thought away.
Don
“maybe we ought not worry about the maybes.
since quitting religion and its faith system of doctrines and holy infallible books I have entered in life love and laugh, may the free spirit that was in Christ Jesus guide me on, amen”
You may or may not worry about the maybes, But maybe when youre not having such a good day and you tell your neighbour where to go and he tells you the same then maybe youll know what im talking about
I don’t have good and/or bad days, I just have days, love you bro
Don
also Geo you might be confusing me with another Don, but I sure do appreciate the positive energy
Don
Of course you have good days and bad days. You live in the world of Duality just like the rest of us. Just because you dont think so doesnt mean it is so.
Maybe Denial for you is a river in Egypt.
Maybe it’s “mind over matter”…
Geo- Think this may be (sorry for the MAY BE) the Don in Arizona. Yes or No, Don?
Geo, First…..another good post. Second…..When God created this universe I believe it was perfect, is perfect, and always will be perfect. As you alluded to we have a warped sense of what perfect is because we have partaken of the tree of the knowledege of good and evil. If God did not create a perfect universe then how could we possibly trust Him? And if he did create an imperfect universe how could he possibly blame us for anything?
God is the potter and we are the clay. I have no wisdom that has not been given to me. I have no righteousness that was not a gift from Him. All I can do is stand in AWE of the Great Redeemer and Perfect God.
Listen to the following scriptures and ask yourself if this does not describe the church of today?
Isa 29:13-24
13 The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.
14 Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”
15 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?”
16 You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?
17 In a very short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field and the fertile field seem like a forest?
18 In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.
19 Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
20 The ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down —
21 those who with a word make a man out to be guilty, who ensnare the defender in court and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice.
22 Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the house of Jacob: “No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will their faces grow pale.
23 When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
24 Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.”
NIV
Yes I think I have confused The Dons! Godfather forgive me! hahahaha!
Don R. you are in Texas right? And Just Don is in Arizona?
My Dons are Confused! Or should I say I am confused of my Dons?! hahaha!
Peace
Geo
It’s good to hear from you, Nancy!
I’m glad you stopped by, because I’ve been wanting to tell you something. I’ve been stopping by your blog regularly, but haven’t been able to comment. That goofy Yahoo360 website doesnt work right. I’ve created at least 2 user accounts over the last year or so, and every time, after a few visits, I can’t log in! It won’t remember my login info. Have you ever thought of moving to a different space? I’d love to join your discussions, but get so frustrated when the login won’t work.
Hello my grace friend’s.i see your having fun in here today.
I enjoyed what you had to share george about the two gate’s.
There is other gate’s i’m more concerned about.Jesus said,i will build my church and the gate’s of hell will not prevail against it.Jesus swallowed up death with his mighty victory throught his death buriel and ressurrection.He totally destroyed those gate’s altogether.Death has been swallowed up with his victory over it.
That narrow gate was Jesus.Man’s selrighteouness is the broad gate and it will alway’s lead to destruction I.e,.. separation devision guilt judgement of other’s for whom christ tasted of death for.heb2v9.Etc.The tree of the knowledge of good and evil will alway’s blind men to the narrow gate of christ’s grace and freely imputted righteousness to us all.Yes george,that road can only lead to one place destruction of self trying to mantain our own selfrighteouness and keepping us from seeing the narrow gate of his wonderful love and grace for us all.
Thank God i’m nolonger on that broad road of selfrighteousness destruction and now resting inside christ and he is me.
keep them comming bro.Love ya all.
I am the 3rd Don I guess, aka Donald Marco Albright, named after my Dad, a man full of that live giving spirit. I have used my middle name in the past and it is what I commonly go by, but for fun sometimes I use my first name here and there on the interweb
Some of you guys might remember me from the old bold grace site as well as christminusmeplusnothing. For the sake of non confusion I will stick with my middle name Marco from here on out, sorry for the confusion,
peace to you all’
Marco (aka Don A)
also John T way to make blind assumptions of my life, you missed the whole point my friend, I have a (true) story for you that just might help you see what I am trying to share (its in a Watchman Nee book I think, I’ll dig it out later and post it here) right now I need to go cycle 45k.
Hey marco aka don……..or something like that
The blind assumption was not of your life but of your few words………and unfortunately thats all I have to go by. Mind you it wouldnt be the first time I have erred, nor will it be my last.
My take…
The “wide gate” represents organized Christianity (or, if you like, “Churchianity”) that many people go through, it has a broad path (many different denominations, Catholic and Protestant), and leads to destruction (burn-out from trying to “do God’s work” on Earth, or from straining to reach some mark of perfection that will never be obtained). On the other hand, the “narrow gate” represents simply following Christ, which has a straitened path (no denominations, just a yearning to be Christ-like), and only a few go down this road to find life (”joy unspeakable and full of glory”, the “peace that passes all understanding”).
Well, I am not sure if it safe to say all peoples in all denominations are burning out on a road to destruction, many many are simply good folk whom are just doing what they believe is right. This goes for just about any religion and/or faith system, take your pick. Not everybody is straining to some mark of perfection, many are just wanting to be Christ like just like you. Real people.
John T, don’t sweat it, perhaps my wording could have been more precise and better explained. To be honest, I don’t really consider days be good no bad, what might have seen bad at the time I reflect upon now and realize my response to said “bad days” is what helped mold me into who I am today, so there really are no bad days, because who would we really be without them? The same I can say for “good days”. I am human, i cry, i laugh, i get pissed off, i eat unhealthy sometimes, i love and am learning to do so more wastefully, so on and so forth. I still want to share that Nee story with you later, powerful, hey have a good day
Marco
Marco
Look forward to the story. If you want send it to Tatsden@rogers.com
I understand what you mean about the good and bad days, though I still consider it a Bad day when it rains and I cant golf on my weekend off
Hey Bruce! Good to hear from you..
I would be glad to hear what you have to tell me.
I haven’t thought of switching to any other user
but I do know how goofy 360 is for sure.
It’s very moody (kind of like a woman)
You can email me at icnohell@yahoo.com
Shalom, Nancy
Hi! I am enjoying reading these explanations and accompanying comments. My own take on the “narrow way” is that Jesus is simply describing that his Way is generally countercultural. While most people may push and shove and shout in trying to get their own way (the “broad way”), those of us who are trying to follow his Way will approach life differently, more “grace”fully, without all the frenetic grasping to get our own way.
“Be still and and know that I am God.”
Here is what I believe best describes the wide gate and the narrow gate:
Rom 5:18-19
18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
The wide gate is the gate we enter (partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) and all who enter that gate (and we all have) will find condemnation (destruction). What is destroyed is our self image because we know through our own experiences that no matter how hard we try we can not discern good from evil much less live up to God’s standard of good.
The narrow gate is the gate that can never be closed to any of us and after we have had enough of the destructive life (the wide gate) we will all find our way to the narrow gate that was made possible only by the obedience of the one man. To enter this gate we will either on our own or be forced to leave behind ALL self righteousness and cling only to the free gift of righteousness which is Christ himself. Anyone who trys to enter this gate claiming any right to by his/her beliefs or acts of righteousness will be turned away until the only thing left in them is the realization that one must enter the gate completely naked and free of everything except the awakened spirit of who they always were (made in His image). Unfortunately for many this nakedness comes only at the removal of the flesh from the true self.
For some this will happen in the morning of life, for others it will happen in the afternoon of life, for some it will happen at the twilight of life, and some will enter this beautiful gate through the final destruction of the flesh. But make no mistake, ALL WILL ENTER THROUGH THIS NARROW GATE EVENTUALLY.
Rom 11:32
32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
1 Tim 4:9-10
9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men , and especially of those who believe.
Heb 2:8-9
In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
Isa 45:23-25
23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear. 24 They will say of me, ‘In the LORD alone
are righteousness and strength. ‘”All who have raged against him
will come to him and be put to shame. 25 But in the LORD all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult.
Acts 10:28
28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.
When I say: “All Glory and Praise To God” I truly mean ALL.
Peace To All Who Will Understand,
Cliff
Geo- Obviously, Don is a common name! I am the one in Texas and I will always sign: Don R
PS: Methinks Bold Grace has its own mafia!
(Don in AZ, Don R., and now Don Marco. :D)