Have you ever heard someone say, "The Bible is full of contradictions" or heard of differences in the Church teaching on salvation (Calvinism vs. Arminianism). The focus of this post is on the all inclusive call to ask, seek and knock "and the door will be opened for you" found in Matthew 7:7-8 and the exclusive decision to "follow the narrow path" in Matthew 7:13-14. God makes it possible for anyone to repent to him in a simple yet profound decision.
Jesus Preached "Repent"
Jesus always taught people to repent from sin and turn to God for the kingdom of heaven is near (Matthew 4:17). In the sermon on the mount (as it's called from Matthew 5:1-7:29), we see Jesus teaching the crowds what repentance to God looks like and what it means. This teaching has rocked the world for over 2,000 years and when you read it plainly, we see these attitudes and actions that are basically impossible for us to put into practice 24/7 without fail. It's not until Matthew 19:26, when Jesus says, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” that the picture becomes clearer (also all the teaching between). Now if your reading your Bible like a book you'll have to get through the Gospel of Mark and Luke (which seems repetitive in a lot of ways but insight too) but then you get to John's gospel. And it's in John's gospel we hear Jesus teach how, "with God everything is possible". John emphasizes the Triune nature of God that Jesus is the son of God and after his resurrection and ascension - he sends believers the Holy Spirit from the Father (John 14:26). It's in John 14-16:33, that we gain the insight into how this all works and what our role in the process is.
Matthew 7:7-8, 13-14
Inclusive Call
First Jesus invites everyone to ask, seek and knock - promising that "everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened". This is true for you as it is for me, "ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and door will be opened to you." This is more than just a random prayer, it's drawing near to God believing that he'll draw near to too (James 4:8) It's praying to God and having faith in Jesus that he will respond (Hebrews 11:1,6).
Exclusive Decision
Just a few verses after the inclusive call, Jesus says, "You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." The website Got Questions, regarding the narrow narrow and wide path says this:
Why did God make salvation such a narrow path?
Other helpful links:
Google: Jesus teaching on Holy Spirit
Grace to You: Great teaching on Triune Nature of God
Calvinism vs. Arminianism - which view is correct?
The Unexpected Answers of God
Narrow Is the Gate: What Did Jesus Mean?
Jesus Preached "Repent"
Jesus always taught people to repent from sin and turn to God for the kingdom of heaven is near (Matthew 4:17). In the sermon on the mount (as it's called from Matthew 5:1-7:29), we see Jesus teaching the crowds what repentance to God looks like and what it means. This teaching has rocked the world for over 2,000 years and when you read it plainly, we see these attitudes and actions that are basically impossible for us to put into practice 24/7 without fail. It's not until Matthew 19:26, when Jesus says, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” that the picture becomes clearer (also all the teaching between). Now if your reading your Bible like a book you'll have to get through the Gospel of Mark and Luke (which seems repetitive in a lot of ways but insight too) but then you get to John's gospel. And it's in John's gospel we hear Jesus teach how, "with God everything is possible". John emphasizes the Triune nature of God that Jesus is the son of God and after his resurrection and ascension - he sends believers the Holy Spirit from the Father (John 14:26). It's in John 14-16:33, that we gain the insight into how this all works and what our role in the process is.
Matthew 7:7-8, 13-14
Inclusive Call
First Jesus invites everyone to ask, seek and knock - promising that "everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened". This is true for you as it is for me, "ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and door will be opened to you." This is more than just a random prayer, it's drawing near to God believing that he'll draw near to too (James 4:8) It's praying to God and having faith in Jesus that he will respond (Hebrews 11:1,6).
Exclusive Decision
Just a few verses after the inclusive call, Jesus says, "You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." The website Got Questions, regarding the narrow narrow and wide path says this:
Satan has paved the highway to hell with fleshly temptations, worldly attractions, and moral compromises. Most people allow their passions and desires to dictate the course of their lives. They choose temporary, earthly pleasure over the self-sacrifice required in following Jesus (Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; Matthew 10:37). The narrow gate is ignored. Most people would rather create their own religions and design their own gods. So it was with sorrow, not discrimination, that Jesus declared that the road to eternal life is "narrow, and only a few find it."Read the full article here:
Why did God make salvation such a narrow path?
Other helpful links:
Google: Jesus teaching on Holy Spirit
Grace to You: Great teaching on Triune Nature of God
Calvinism vs. Arminianism - which view is correct?
The Unexpected Answers of God
Narrow Is the Gate: What Did Jesus Mean?
