Life and Death
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7.13, 14
When reading God’s Word, understanding what has been written must be understood within the context. Someone once said that any text taken out of context is nothing more than a pretext.
There was a story told of a man who used the “hunt-and-peck” system of Bible study. He would lay his Bible on the table on its spine and let go. With his eyes shut, he would point his finger at an opened page then read the verse. The first verse in his hunting expedition said, “Judas went out and hanged himself.” Hoping that this selection was a mistake, he repeated process. What he found on this try was: “Go thou and do likewise.” Becoming quite concerned about this possible God-directed path, he made one last stab. This time, his verse went something like this: “What thou doest do quickly.”
The above verses must be kept within their biblical context. Coming at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, they provide some closing thoughts concerning how the children of the Kingdom should live. We must remember that nothing within this sermon offers a means to gaining salvation – otherwise, we would find that salvation is dependent upon our “works.”
Furthermore, the preceding verse (Matthew 7.12) iterates what has been called “The Golden Rule.” That verse, having been misunderstood by many, has suggested that we will be judged according to how we treat other people. While it is true that we should treat others as we would want to be treated, it is not true that this is a means to salvation and eternal life.
While these verses have been applied to one’s salvation experience and that there are few who enter in at the “strait” (stenos – “narrow”) gate and many who enter in at the “wide” gate, the application is more about our temporal testimony than about our eternal rewards.
The Greek has two words for “life” that have been similarly translated. Bios (the word from which we get the word biology) speaks of the period or course of life – what we do with living. Zoe, on the other hand, refers to that which is alive – the fact that we are alive and breathing.
The Golden Rule suggests that in order to have a good time of breathing while we are on the earth, we must live according to certain principles. Remember that Jesus is speaking to children of the Kingdom – those who are a part of His family. He suggests that when His followers are not properly living as they should, they may forfeit their lives.
It seems that there are few who enter into this type of Christian lifestyle and many who go their own way. Those believers who live according to the precepts of Christ find that life is blessed, while those who stray find their lives heading toward disaster.
This principle is backed up by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11 when he says the following concerning someone who abuses the Lord’s Table: “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” (I Corinthians 11.29, 30) James echoes the same principle by stating that many within the Christian community are sick and dying because of sinful lifestyles. (James 5.13-20)
There are times when God disciplines His children when they have gone astray. He uses means that are specific to each child as He draws them back into fellowship with Him and with His family members. Should a wayward child return to the Father, he will find forgiveness and healing. Should he continue in rebellion against the Father, he will find his way being destroyed.
We are enjoined to enter in at the strait gate and walk as closely to our Father God and Savior Jesus Christ as possible.
There was a story told of a man who used the “hunt-and-peck” system of Bible study. He would lay his Bible on the table on its spine and let go. With his eyes shut, he would point his finger at an opened page then read the verse. The first verse in his hunting expedition said, “Judas went out and hanged himself.” Hoping that this selection was a mistake, he repeated process. What he found on this try was: “Go thou and do likewise.” Becoming quite concerned about this possible God-directed path, he made one last stab. This time, his verse went something like this: “What thou doest do quickly.”
The above verses must be kept within their biblical context. Coming at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, they provide some closing thoughts concerning how the children of the Kingdom should live. We must remember that nothing within this sermon offers a means to gaining salvation – otherwise, we would find that salvation is dependent upon our “works.”
Furthermore, the preceding verse (Matthew 7.12) iterates what has been called “The Golden Rule.” That verse, having been misunderstood by many, has suggested that we will be judged according to how we treat other people. While it is true that we should treat others as we would want to be treated, it is not true that this is a means to salvation and eternal life.
While these verses have been applied to one’s salvation experience and that there are few who enter in at the “strait” (stenos – “narrow”) gate and many who enter in at the “wide” gate, the application is more about our temporal testimony than about our eternal rewards.
The Greek has two words for “life” that have been similarly translated. Bios (the word from which we get the word biology) speaks of the period or course of life – what we do with living. Zoe, on the other hand, refers to that which is alive – the fact that we are alive and breathing.
The Golden Rule suggests that in order to have a good time of breathing while we are on the earth, we must live according to certain principles. Remember that Jesus is speaking to children of the Kingdom – those who are a part of His family. He suggests that when His followers are not properly living as they should, they may forfeit their lives.
It seems that there are few who enter into this type of Christian lifestyle and many who go their own way. Those believers who live according to the precepts of Christ find that life is blessed, while those who stray find their lives heading toward disaster.
This principle is backed up by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11 when he says the following concerning someone who abuses the Lord’s Table: “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” (I Corinthians 11.29, 30) James echoes the same principle by stating that many within the Christian community are sick and dying because of sinful lifestyles. (James 5.13-20)
There are times when God disciplines His children when they have gone astray. He uses means that are specific to each child as He draws them back into fellowship with Him and with His family members. Should a wayward child return to the Father, he will find forgiveness and healing. Should he continue in rebellion against the Father, he will find his way being destroyed.
We are enjoined to enter in at the strait gate and walk as closely to our Father God and Savior Jesus Christ as possible.
Copyright © 2023 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/