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All that I understand what you're trying to say is the first paragraph...the rest
But that's ok.... excuse it however you'd like.
Romans 12:19
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Matthew 25:41
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
When God does this to unbelievers that die in their unbelief... it's because of his will.
Twin you are saying that you found the narrow gate, please tell me how God gets credit for that ?.
You have never found a narrow gate, you know it, God know's it and all who have been found of God know it. You would not know what a narrow gate looked like if it was staring you in the face, unless God led you to it and opened your eyes to it and said enter in, which would mean you didn't find it.
You as a believer found nothing and more to the point have nothing that has not been already given to you by God.
23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
He said to them, 24“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 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.’ 26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 “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.
Twin you are saying that you found the narrow gate, please tell me how God gets credit for that ?.
You have never found a narrow gate, you know it, God know's it and all who have been found of God know it. You would not know what a narrow gate looked like if it was staring you in the face, unless God led you to it and opened your eyes to it and said enter in, which would mean you didn't find it.
You as a believer found nothing and more to the point have nothing that has not been already given to you by God.
Technically .... We "find it" by stop rejecting. For us to be able to stop rejecting is by the Spirit through the word.
Many will not stop rejecting. That is why the road and gate are wide
23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
He said to them, 24“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 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.’ 26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 “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.
Who was he saying this to? and what Covenant was in place when he was saying this ?. Finn the day you see and understand that that He found you and all that you have is what he's already given you, you will be free indeed.
We were the ones lost,so much so it took someone to find us, it is not Christ who is lost, that we have to Go find him.
Technically .... We "find it" by stop rejecting. For us to be able to stop rejecting is by the Spirit through the word.
Many will not stop rejecting. That is why the road and gate are wide
Twin there's no technicality to it, we were lost in our way's and then found by him who is the way.
I'm forever grateful that he opened my eyes to the reality of Him who is called the way and that he led and now leads me in the way(the reality of life).
23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
He said to them, 24“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 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.’ 26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 “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.
Finn_Jaber,
I agree.. the way to make "every effort" is to "hear" the message when the opportunity is still available. There are people who put spiritual and physical road blocks to "hear" the message.
That is why Jesus says "make every effort" to " "hear" the message" before "the owner of the house gets up and closes the door"
Consequently, faith comesfromhearingthe message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
An example of spiritual of not "hearing the message", Jesus said this:
"You diligently study the Scriptures.....yet you refuse to come to me to have life." John 5:38-40 .....
they are not "hearing" it despite diligently studying.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
An example of a physical of not "hearing the message" is having other priorities that doesn't allow you to physically hear the message: Luke 9:58-62
Jesus said:
He said to another man, “Follow me.”
.. But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and .... _______.”
Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and..._______."
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
I should probably say this now because I know there are antagonists just waiting.....
Jesus point isn't about whether to bury a family member vs following him or saying good by to family members .... his point is about priorities.
Don't expect any sympathy from God (the owner of the house) when the door is closed (the narrow gate of heaven) when you come knocking and pleading Luke 13:25
if your mentality is "I'll get around to believing whenever it's convenient for me"
Twin there's no technicality to it, we were lost in our way's and then found by him who is the way.
I'm forever grateful that he opened my eyes to the reality of Him who is called the way and that he led and now leads me in the way(the reality of life).
I say "technicality" because of decision theology.
How else does one word it so as not to promote decision theology ...giving God the credit for coming to faith while speaking the other truth that people do reject the offer and are held accountable. (Which should be the greater lesson from Luke 13:23-30)
Who was he saying this to? and what Covenant was in place when he was saying this ?. Finn the day you see and understand that that He found you and all that you have is what he's already given you, you will be free indeed.
We were the ones lost,so much so it took someone to find us, it is not Christ who is lost, that we have to Go find him.
He is saying to you and me and everyone else, and I am free already, praise the Lord.
I agree.. the way to make "every effort" is to "hear" the message when the opportunity is still available. There are people who put spiritual and physical road blocks to "hear" the message.
That is why Jesus says "make every effort" to " "hear" the message" before "the owner of the house gets up and closes the door"
Consequently, faith comesfromhearingthe message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
An example of spiritual of not "hearing the message", Jesus said this:
"You diligently study the Scriptures.....yet you refuse to come to me to have life." John 5:38-40 .....
they are not "hearing" it despite diligently studying.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
An example of a physical of not "hearing the message" is having other priorities that doesn't allow you to physically hear the message: Luke 9:58-62
Jesus said:
He said to another man, “Follow me.”
.. But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and .... _______.”
Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and..._______."
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
I should probably say this now because I know there are antagonists just waiting.....
Jesus point isn't about whether to bury a family member vs following him or saying good by to family members .... his point is about priorities.
Don't expect any sympathy from God (the owner of the house) when the door is closed (the narrow gate of heaven) when you come knocking and pleading Luke 13:25
if your mentality is "I'll get around to believing whenever it's convenient for me"
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