KEY PRINCIPLES FROM THIS MESSAGE:
To have success in ANYTHING of any value in this life, you MUST put in the hard labor. There are no shortcuts, only lies from the KoD suggesting there are, and myriad alternatives to keep you distracted and ultimately, frustrated.
Grace, Works, and Indifference – blog 8/9/19
The Greek word translated “strive” is agonizomai (Can you see the English cognate “agonize” in there?). Jesus stated that salvation implies a certain struggle. The Greek word carries a wrestling connotation with it, meaning to contend for a prize. Are we to suppose that Jesus was suggesting additional work to the Cross as a requirement for salvation? May it never be! That work is complete, as Jesus said while on the Cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30).
So, that can’t be what He’s saying… let’s read on…
Lk 13:25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’
Lk 13:26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’
Lk 13:27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’
Lk 13:28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.
Lk 13:29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.
Lk 13:30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
Just because grace is “free” doesn’t mean there isn’t any “striving” to obtain it.
Grace, Works, and Indifference – blog 8/9/19
In Luke 13:24, Jesus was referring to the analog of walking from our place of origin to the [the free gift]. Is salvation any more gracious – and therefore effective – for someone who is forced to take a longer walk [to obtain it] (think of how many conversion stories you’ve heard over the years – they’re all unique)? How about a shorter walk, shall we presume a lesser grace, then? May it never be!
To turn our backs on self and come to genuine faith in Christ is a struggle.
Commitment, responsibility, and accountability are all disciplines in the local church.
It’s simply not enough (anti-Biblical, even) to establish/maintain commitments to ourselves (as virtual islands). We are called to a community (aka “a congregation”), for the purpose of “obedience of faith” (ref: Ro 1, 16).
We are called/commanded to BE a community of brothers/sisters/mothers/fathers in the faith. And like ANY command, it requires OBEDIENCE.
GOD MUST BE the center of ALL our Universes so that we can all meet at a single place for fellowship!
Life is filled with much more love and enjoyment when we live it TOGETHER, as God intended.