Review and Re-Center Around God

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door…” ~ Jesus

Review

The words in the gospel - make every effort - can complicate this teaching of entering the narrow door. Believing in Jesus as Lord, you don't need to make every effort to gain salvation; salvation is a gift of grace.

But the Lord does say work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12).

The words make every effort can be an athletic term for ‘competing’ or ‘battling’. In this sense, one could say that we ‘battle’ our enemy to enter the door, to rise up against him and make every effort against him who opposes our entrance. We also have a call to seek hard after God (Psalm 63); to connect with Him, unite with Him, experience Him.

Journal Prompt:
What things in your life do
you make every effort?

Repent (if necessary)

... of whatever gets between you and God, whatever things distract you from seeking hard after God, whatever makes you too tired to seek after God.

Return (as necessary)

Often the way to return to God is in prayer: Father God I come in the name of Jesus grateful that He opens the door and gives me access to You. Thank You for Your daily mercies and constant grace. I want to be full of You and I want my life to be full of You; I want to live richly in You and I want to seek hard after You in my world just as the psalmist David did. I am so grateful that I have found the narrow door in Your son Jesus. I pray that You would allow me to be a blessing to let others experience this wonderful truth as well. In His name I pray. Amen.