"Enter in at the narrow gate..."

[M30USA]

This is a 6-part video by Dr. John MacArthur in which he tackles the idea of what Jesus meant by, "Enter in at the narrow gate..."

 

Very briefly, there is the narrow gate and the wide gate. Everyone knows from Scripture that the narrow gate leads to heaven and the wide gate leads to hell. But what most people don't know--and what I didn't know either--is that it's NOT a comparison between the religious/non-religious, Christian/pagan, or moral/immoral. It's a comparison AMONG the religious as to HOW you get to heaven. The narrow gate represents divine salvation, or salvation that comes through grace and is not warranted by man's false efforts and false religion. It represents a difficult, constricted path which requires all of a man's heart to make it through. While the narrow gate represents false religion, man's religion, and man's way of being righteous. Both paths are BELIEVED by those following them to get to heaven. However, only the narrow path gets there. Jesus didn't say one path is to heaven, one path is to hell. He said BOTH are paths which APPARENTLY seem to be going to heaven. One path to heaven is narrow and THAT is the correct one. The other is the wide path to heaven and, not only will it not let you in, but it will wind up in hell.

 

John MacArthur - The Narrow Gate and the Broad Way (Part 1 of 6) - YouTube

[M30USA]

LOL

 

I'm entertained by the fact that a thread on "the narrow gate" has so few views and zero posts.

 

Prophetic?

 

[pureinheart]

This is a 6-part video by Dr. John MacArthur in which he tackles the idea of what Jesus meant by, "Enter in at the narrow gate..."

 

Very briefly, there is the narrow gate and the wide gate. Everyone knows from Scripture that the narrow gate leads to heaven and the wide gate leads to hell. But what most people don't know--and what I didn't know either--is that it's NOT a comparison between the religious/non-religious, Christian/pagan, or moral/immoral. It's a comparison AMONG the religious as to HOW you get to heaven. The narrow gate represents divine salvation, or salvation that comes through grace and is not warranted by man's false efforts and false religion. It represents a difficult, constricted path which requires all of a man's heart to make it through. While the narrow gate represents false religion, man's religion, and man's way of being righteous. Both paths are BELIEVED by those following them to get to heaven. However, only the narrow path gets there. Jesus didn't say one path is to heaven, one path is to hell. He said BOTH are paths which APPARENTLY seem to be going to heaven. One path to heaven is narrow and THAT is the correct one. The other is the wide path to heaven and, not only will it not let you in, but it will wind up in hell.

 

John MacArthur - The Narrow Gate and the Broad Way (Part 1 of 6) - YouTube

 

 

This is really good and I really like John...he was one of the first I studied under....

 

For the life of me M30, I was talking about this just the other day...ya gotta love it when God does this eh?

 

I've never heard it interpreted in this way, ut it does make sense- John M. always makes sense and do admit I trust him too.

 

I don't know if this is wrong M30, although when the point of trust comes, meaning I've read enough of ones writings as to not have to check out every single little thing. Now not saying here that I know Scripture inside and out, but believe I know enough to know when something is off, and then do the checking.

 

I tell you love, this is an incredible find! Wishing I wasn't so burned out tonight as to participate more. I'll be back (hehehe)

[M30USA]

I agree. I believe Dr MacArthur to be the single most biblicall sound pastor on television.

 

There are many like him who aren't famous, though. Unfortunately most pastors only become famous when they teach false doctrine and tickle ears. MacArthur is a rare exception. More power to him.

[TheFinalWord]

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood.

 

Good sermon...

[Eve]

The sermon was very good but didn't say much about what you do once you have entered in. For some there never was a question about entering in.

 

.. but I prefer black preachers who know about the troubles, especially spiritual troubles... the devil and his minions have been trying to get me since I was a child, lol.

 

Plus there is the issue of walking with others. I am not into telling people what to do and not walking with them/praying support into their lives. That is the whole point methinks. Talk is cheap.

 

I suppose I am not into those who just call people out all the time.

 

Take care,

Eve x

[pureinheart]

The sermon was very good but didn't say much about what you do once you have entered in. For some there never was a question about entering in.

 

.. but I prefer black preachers who know about the troubles, especially spiritual troubles... the devil and his minions have been trying to get me since I was a child, lol.

 

Plus there is the issue of walking with others. I am not into telling people what to do and not walking with them/praying support into their lives. That is the whole point methinks. Talk is cheap.

 

I suppose I am not into those who just call people out all the time.

 

Take care,

Eve x

 

I think this is a gift of black preachers, also I see a high prophetic anointing. I "fit in" much better with more relaxed churches- I get beat up enough in the world lol.

 

I feel ya Eve, being targeted from birth also, I need to be taught spiritual warfare from one who KNOWS of those specific troubles, and how to survive in this life. While doctine is important, it won't make any difference in my case, especially when the devil is having a field day with me...and I've heard it all- don't isolate, don't do this, don't do that, blah, blah, blah, but when one is under serious attack, I have to isolate to a degree.

 

I can always tell when a person doesn't know of the troubles you speak of because I'll be told there has to be some "fix" to the warfare- I've left a door open, I've not been praying enough..."I've" done "something" to cause such attack- have heard just about everything ...could it be that there is something "right" I'm doing?

 

Now when it comes to sin, I'm real good at that, and not denying it, although I don't believe for one minute that is the entire reason. God has a Divine Woodshed for chastisement purposes.

[M30USA]

I can always tell when a person doesn't know of the troubles you speak of because I'll be told there has to be some "fix" to the warfare- I've left a door open, I've not been praying enough..."I've" done "something" to cause such attack- have heard just about everything ...could it be that there is something "right" I'm doing?

 

And unfortunately most people only listen to teachers and pastors who DO have a "fix" as you said.

 

Best example is Job. All of his friends, including his wife, all gave him advice about doing this, doing that...saying God punished him for a sin, etc. Little did they know what was happening in higher realms: Satan, through God's permission, was seeing just how much suffering Job could handle before he cursed God. Unfortunately--for Satan--this never happened. Job continued to serve God even when he had NO REASON and all of the light in his life was gone.

 

But you are right. Not all things that happen to us in life (good or bad) are the result of our own actions and beliefs. A simple look around the world should even convince non-believers that this is true.

Edited May 16, 2013 by M30USA

[pureinheart]

I agree. I believe Dr MacArthur to be the single most biblicall sound pastor on television.

 

There are many like him who aren't famous, though. Unfortunately most pastors only become famous when they teach false doctrine and tickle ears. MacArthur is a rare exception. More power to him.

 

How do you feel about Billy Graham? You know, I've wanted to discuss this (televangelism), and was going to start a thread, but maybe we could discuss it in this thread?

 

I'm not sure if you viewed my apology to you (can't remember which thread, thinking it was one I started, but my apology was removed), but knowing you better now, and my sensitivity levels have decreased, I think we could all have a decent discussion concerning this matter.

 

Thinking this is the only area in which we disagree...now could it be that I might not be hard core enough (which is a shock lol given how I grew up), and you might be too hard core (which is an even bigger shock possibly given how I don't believe you did grow up, meaning I don't believe you got into the things like I did)?

 

Having IMO much experience with all sorts of teachings, having been exposed to many churches I fail to see what you do. I'm not saying this makes me right and you wrong.

 

Ok, this is my take- the main issue should be salvation through Jesus Christ for the non believer, for the believer, it should focus on their anointing and gifts. To me the anointing is key because the enemy has different strategies of attack for the various anointings and believers should be schooled according to their needs/areas of attack.

 

I think one major strategy of Satan is to blind the believer as to who they are in the Spirit. I think with most fire and brimstone (no offense intended, I just lack a better term, as I do believe this to be important also) it can turn into a one size fits all, not reaching those with specialised needs. In Gods Kingdom we have many specialised skills/anointings and IMO in order to be effective...like the Apostle/Prophet for instance. Now for the person who is completely into "fire and brimstone" this would fit that persons specialised needs/gifts, No?

 

Ok, like let's say one has a gift/desire for writing and is only given classes for Electrical, well this will help should the writer choose to write pieces/books pertaining to Electrical, but the writer needs to learn how to write the piece/book first and take English and such (guess it's clear my gift isn't writing ).

 

I would prefer that more Pastors would get down in the gifts and not be afraid of freaking people out. There needs to be more specialised teaching IMO. Not just the basics. Like for instance, when God takes me into radical warfare I speak in a Swahili-like tongue...why? When this takes place devils are getting massacred ...personally I'd like to know what the specific power is concerning this.

 

So with this in many ways I agree with you M30, although I don't agree that many of the tv ministers are teaching false doctrine, I think their teaching is more specialised.

Edited May 16, 2013 by pureinheart

[pureinheart]

And unfortunately most people only listen to teachers and pastors who DO have a "fix" as you said.

 

Best example is Job. All of his friends, including his wife, all gave him advice about doing this, doing that...saying God punished him for a sin, etc. Little did they know what was happening in higher realms: Satan, through God's permission, was seeing just how much suffering Job could handle before he cursed God. Unfortunately--for Satan--this never happened. Job continued to serve God even when he had NO REASON and all of the light in his life was gone.

 

But you are right. Not all things that happen to us in life (good or bad) are the result of our own actions and beliefs. A simple look around the world should even convince non-believers that this is true.

 

Awesome- lol another question I've had for years! Ok, Job never "cursed" God...what does this mean? Does it mean that he never lost his "faith" in God? M30, I don't know how to communicate this really...Job got "mad" at God, is that right? He never lost his belief in God?

 

I am definitly no Job lol, although am really hoping that my latter days will be like his! Meaning Satan was cut off and Job got to chill- oh how I long for that!

 

Is the bolded the meaning? What does cursing God mean? I really hope it's not literal, meaning cussing, because I am screwed if that's the case ...*whispering in your ear* M30, I've used the g d word before (you know what word right?)...when I'm really stressed/mad/freaked out I use it....it's bad I know ....Lord I am soooo sorry. Has this happened to you ever?

Edited May 16, 2013 by pureinheart

[M30USA]

Awesome- lol another question I've had for years! Ok, Job never "cursed" God...what does this mean? Does it mean that he never lost his "faith" in God? M30, I don't know how to communicate this really...Job got "mad" at God, is that right? He never lost his belief in God?

 

I am definitly no Job lol, although am really hoping that my latter days will be like his! Meaning Satan was cut off and Job got to chill- oh how I long for that!

 

Is the bolded the meaning? What does cursing God mean? I really hope it's not literal, meaning cussing, because I am screwed if that's the case ...*whispering in your ear* M30, I've used the g d word before (you know what word right?)...when I'm really stressed/mad/freaked out I use it....it's bad I know ....Lord I am soooo sorry. Has this happened to you ever?

 

What we know for sure, based on the summary in the book of Job, is that in all these events Job did not sin.

 

But simply reading the text shows that he clearly got frustrated and questioned God, basically asking God what the heck he is doing and why. He even asked God if it PLEASES him to make him suffer so much.

 

When I was in college, I took a Hebrew Scripture elective class. I remember my final paper was on the subject of Genesis 32 where Jacob wrestled with an angel (or God). One of the main points was that, as a result of this encounter, he received the name Israel, which (in essence) means "he who struggled with God". From this chapter, as well as the rest of the Bible, we almost get the symbolic picture that God WANTS us to "struggle" with him, to engage him, to even feel frustrated and press him. Afterall, it says Jacob in this encounter refused to let the angel (or God) go until he received a blessing!

 

Perhaps Job was "struggling" with God by trying to understand what the heck was happening and why God was clearly allowing it. God even answered Job! That right there is a sign that God at least accepted his frustration and questioning. And evidently Job did not sin.

 

It's only when we have a prideful attitude towards God and arrogantly criticize his ways that we sin. We should humbly question God and ask for answers and wisdom--as Job did.

[pureinheart]

What we know for sure, based on the summary in the book of Job, is that in all these events Job did not sin.

 

But simply reading the text shows that he clearly got frustrated and questioned God, basically asking God what the heck he is doing and why. He even asked God if it PLEASES him to make him suffer so much.

 

When I was in college, I took a Hebrew Scripture elective class. I remember my final paper was on the subject of Genesis 32 where Jacob wrestled with an angel (or God). One of the main points was that, as a result of this encounter, he received the name Israel, which (in essence) means "he who struggled with God". From this chapter, as well as the rest of the Bible, we almost get the symbolic picture that God WANTS us to "struggle" with him, to engage him, to even feel frustrated and press him. Afterall, it says Jacob in this encounter refused to let the angel (or God) go until he received a blessing!

 

Perhaps Job was "struggling" with God by trying to understand what the heck was happening and why God was clearly allowing it. God even answered Job! That right there is a sign that God at least accepted his frustration and questioning. And evidently Job did not sin.

 

It's only when we have a prideful attitude towards God and arrogantly criticize his ways that we sin. We should humbly question God and ask for answers and wisdom--as Job did.

 

Wow, that is so cool. Job did not sin. This answers more questions than you think- I'm tripping right now. Thank you for explaining this in such an understandable way...I understand now.

 

God knows our hearts, so with that I've always believed being straight up with Him is the only way- He knows anyway.

 

There ave been times that the attack was so hard and heavy that I'd go off...He likes to bring us to the end of ourselves, this is uncomfortable to say the least.

 

One time when I was living in VA, all hell was breaking loose and had been for quite sometime- it was in the summer and I had all windows wide open. I got two chairs, I sat in one and demanded God sit in the other. I freaked out screaming and yelling (loud) basically asking God what exactly He wanted out of me, don't even remember exact words, but I had to of appeared to my neighbors as psycho. This went on for close to a half an hour, when I finally got tired and shut up...ummmm God spoke to me too...He said, "are you done yet?" and I said, "yes"...that was it, it's all He said...lol

 

The trial in VA got worse. My now ex husband went UA from the USMC, three days later 9/11 went down (we were 10-15 minutes from the Pentagon)...it just didn't end seemingly.

 

God is good and I now see some of the purpose for that. God anointed me for that and was just talking to a Sister in Jesus the other day of how shortly before this "adventure" that the day of my departure from CA to VA a little lady at my bank (I think she was in her 90's) knelt down anointing and praying over my feet- her daughter was slightly apologetic saying, my mother does this sometimes- I told her it was QUITE allright. Coincidence, I think NOT. *tears*

 

My Brother in Jesus, your post is very moving as not many either understand or just don't communicate the deep facts you have put out in this post. Having heard so many times that it is sin to question God, to challenge God- you are deep.

 

I see God/Jesus/Holy Spirit as my friend(s) and hang with them. As with friends there's no point in hiding anything- Adam and Eve tried that, it didn't work.

 

Your final paper in college sounds fabulous!