The Narrow Door

Greetings everyone and welcome to today's edition of ...

Learn and Grow with Jesus EVERYDAY 

Today's Topic is: The Narrow Door

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2021

Bible Reading: Luke 13:22-30 NIV

Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.  Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’  “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’   “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’   “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’   “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.  People will come from east and west and north and south and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.  Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Luke 13:22‭-‬30 NIV.

Discussion Question: Are you spiritually fit to enter through the narrow door?

Jesus said, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to". In other words, many will not be able to enter, not for a lack of desire, not for lack of effort, but a lack of focus, discipline and spiritual fitness. You may be wondering, "where did I pull that from?" Let me explain.

While I pondered over this scripture, I kept asking myself, what is it that could preclude a person who is zealous and has persevered to arrive at the door, from entering through the narrow door. Then another scripture came to mind. "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.". Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV.

And right there was my answer - excess weight.

Jesus made us understand that the very nature of the door is that it is very narrow. If you arrive at the door carrying excess baggage, you wouldn't be able to fit in and get through. You must get rid of all the excess weight you carry and stay laser-focused on the Lord, the Author, and Finisher of our faith.

Weight in this context constitutes of all external and internal hindrances or burdens that pull us down, and hold us back, impeding our ability to make progress. Pretty much, anything that is keeping you from staying focused on your goals, from ascending to the pinnacle, from performing at your peak, from realizing your best potentials, from enjoying your relationships, from being happy and contented, from thriving, from finishing the race or any project for that matter and winning the prize, etc., is a weight.

Anyone who has ever been on a weight loss program knows that losing weight takes serious hard work, commitment, discipline, diligence, patience and resolve.  If you don't put in the work, the weight won't come off. Excess weight negatively impacts our health, speed, agility, buoyance, and balance. It takes a combination of strict dieting and exercise to win the battle of weight loss.

By exercise, I mean a structured workout program with a trainer or someone who challenges, inspires, and motivates you. And boy did Apostle Paul nail it so perfectly when he said, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". Philippians 2:12 KJV.

Statistically, those who work with partners on their weight loss journey are more successful than those who work alone. Teamwork always wins. Teamwork is what works. You collaborate to accelerate. Your partner to succeed. That's why the Bible says, " Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near". Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT.

And again, "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken". Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT.

In conclusion, to enter through the narrow door, we must:

1. Strive and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.

2. Lay aside every weight and every sin that so easily entangles.

3. Run with patience the race that is set before us.

4. Keep our eyes and focus on Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.

5. Not neglect the fellowship of the brethren but rather partner, collaborate, encourage one another and motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

Remember, you must be spiritually fit to enter through the Narrow Door.

Stay uplifted in Christ always and live cheerfully every day.Leader Chinedu Nicholas Obodo for EXOLOM Fellowship. Find us at exolom.com