Summer 1990

A call to enter the narrow way
Joe Nieves.
Visiting Teacher at Pinecrest

At this present time, the Lord is seeking out a people who are willing to enter into an experiential knowledge of all that He has purchased for them. This speaks of a people who are fully possessing their inheritance. He has made ample provision for us to do this, so we cannot fail.

"Strive to enter 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" Matt 7:13-14.

Jesus said, "Enter in." This invitation is in the imperative mood; it is a command: "You must enter in." It is not a matter of our feeling like doing so, I t is urgent that we apply ourselves. We are to be diligent in this "entering in." It will require much from us to do so.

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" Luke 13:24. Notice that Jesus says "strive." This is a word that requires effort and commitment on our part. The Greek word for strive is "agonizomai," from which we get the English word "agonize." Its meaning is to contend, or struggle. It is used of an athlete who contends in a game. "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible" 1 Cor9:25.

Notice the words "many ... will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" The Greek word for able is "ischuo", which means to have the strength, power, or the ability to prevail. Somewhere there is a failure, but where? Certainly not with the Lord. Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me" Phil 4:13. Literally this means "who empowers me from within."

We are to perseveringly contend against temptation. "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" 1 Tim 6:12. This can be translated, "Labor fervently to enter in."

Those who experientially receive into their being the Word will experience its effectual work as an energizing force in them. "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe" I Thess 2:13.

"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" Matt 7:13-14. There are two ways of looking at this passage of Scripture:

1. In reference to Heaven and Hell. The strait gate leads
to heaven, the broad way leads to hell and damnation.

2. In reference to the Kingdom of God. This speaks of the
difference between those who are seeking to qualify to
rule and reign with Him (the narrow way); and those who
are satisfied with salvation alone (the broad way.)

For example, we as citizens of the United States enjoy the benefits and privileges of our citizenship. But there is a great difference in authority between a citizen, and one who is in a governmental position because they have qualified to be there.

Jesus said "strait." The Greek word for this is "stenos." It means hard, difficult, full of pressures and hardships. It is not an easy way because it runs counter to natural inclinations. It is the way of the cross; it means a giving up of our right to life, a total commitment to His Lordship.

The central message of the Kingdom is the "Lordship" of Jesus Christ. This is what is meant by the words, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God." Let Him rule and reign in your lives. Let Him establish His government in you. First, the Kingdom must be worked IN you, then it will work out THROUGH you. Finally, it will be established IN all the Earth.

Jesus challenges us to a fulfilled life in Himself. "Strait" speaks of the narrowness, or the pressures of the way. The Greek word for "Narrow" is "thlibo," a perfect passive participle. It is this straightened, or narrowed way that leads into life; hemmed in like a narrow gorge between rocks. Also, it is a narrowing way, it begins wide and it narrows down as we proceed in it.

The word "thlibo" is where we get our word tribulation, pressure. Acts 14:22tells us that through much tribulation we enter the Kingdom. Salvation is a free gift. The Kingdom is difficult and costly, it is a narrowing way. The further we go on, the narrower it gets and greater its demands; but far greater the benefits.

A "venturi" is a principle in engineering. There is a wide opening which gradually narrows. As it narrows, pressure is built and movement increases in velocity. When it reaches the narrowest point, it reverses to wide into, as it were, an unlimited dimension. We are to move from an "outer court" salvation experience, forward into a Kingdom "fullness" experience. This is what Paul meant when he said, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling(upward calling) of God in Christ Jesus" Phil 3:14. "Many are called, but few are chosen." Or, "Many are called, but few choose to qualify" Matt 20:16.

There is no failure in Him, nor any reason for us to fail. We can attain to His highest for our lives. "Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich" II Cor 8:9b. "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" II Cor 9:8.

He has made a way for us to travel the full route into His Kingdom.