FAITH CAPSULE: Seeking God diligently amounts to striving and not strolling to gain entrance through the narrow gate.
Luke 13:22-35
Jesus was questioned during His journey through the cities and villages. Luke 13:22-24 recorded “And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you will seek to enter and will not be able.”” Jesus’ response pointed out that the way of salvation is a narrow way and not the wide and popular way. It is clear that striving and not strolling is what it requires to enter and navigate through the narrow gate. Jesus also pointed out clearly that many will seek to enter and will not able to. Are you seeking Him to enter through the narrow way or the broad way? The narrow way is the unpopular way while the broad way is the popular way that carries the majority number of people. Seeking Him is not only when going to church; seeking Him is not when we are doing whatever is convenient to do in His commandment. Seeking God is not convenience, but rather a commitment. Seeking God is not in following crowds to places of worship. Seeking God is not only in answering or claiming to be a Christian. How are you seeking Him? When you believe in Him you will seek Him. Any believer that does not behave the word will fall short of seeking Him. Behaving the word God is living the word of God.
Determination will fail but the grace of God is the only way to seeking Him indeed and truth. It is not possible to claim seeking God when your ways are not His ways and when all that surrounds you are of the wicked world. God cannot be deceived nether can any man hide from His presence. The Bible makes it clear the time of seeking and finding Him, “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7). In your life journey, strive to enter through the narrow gate and seek Him in truth. Seeking God diligently amounts to striving and not strolling in attempt to enter through the narrow gate. It is written, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Hold on in faith that truly there is a narrow gate to strive for, seek Him diligently and you shall not miss your heaven because God is true to reward seeking Him diligently.
Prayer for today: Ask God to guide and direct you not to enter into the broad way.