Does It Really Say That?
- My experience with many good people reveals that even those who are
religious may have in their minds a number of quotations which are not
in the Bible. We had a name for these: Chimney Corner Scriptures.
Example: Every tub sits on its own bottom. Meaning of this example: "So
then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12}
Such an example merely uses a wayside statement to give a sense which is
true. Many other such "sayings" contain ideas not true at all, but are
such as may deceive. This is what poses the question of our title.
Many centuries have afforded time for a lot of wrong ideas to become
established in the religious vocabulary of the day. May we examine one
or two of these.
Luke 13:23-24: "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be
saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for
many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able"
(AV). Checking many English translations I see the sense to be much the
same. The gate is narrow. It is not easy to enter into it. A striving is
necessary. Does this not suggest that works are necessary, some special
effort of the man is needed for one to be saved. And because of the
difficulties not many shall be saved. What is the meaning of such
salvation?
Perhaps we peachers are to blame for leaving an impression that being
saved is easy, that it always and only applies to the saving of the
spirit of man in the initial work of God. And maybe some have gone on to
imply that one has to do works to attain that first stage of salvation.
For after all, salvation applies to the whole work of God in delivering
a man from his sins, not just getting him ticketed for heaven. This
saving of the life is mentioned much more often than the first step.
Because so little attention is paid to the saving of the life many have
come to think that just getting accepted with God is the hard step, the
one for which men must strive.
Take note of the distinction between initial forgiveness for sins and
the saving of the life. Christ died for our sins. We shall be saved from
wrath through Him. This is described as "much more" than being justified
by His blood (Rom. 5:9). When we were his enemies we were reconciled to
God by the death of His son (verse 10). "Much more, being reconciled, we
shall be saved by his life" (same verse). Thus we see a clear difference
between the benefits of His death which is the way of our being
reconciled so as to be justified with God. Then through His priesthood
or intercessory work we shall be saved by His life:. This extends to the
salvation which is nearer than when we first believed (Rom. 13:11).
"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" (Mt 7:14). 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) (AV).
Who shall find this gate? To what does it give entrance? Are we
speaking of initial salvation by the death of Christ? No, but rather to
that salvation which is by His life. This gate is strait (narrow). But
the gate to destruction is wide, easily located, and many go in that
way. Are there few who shall be saved? The subject here is to a
difficult way.which leads to life, the life of the kingdom. Only a few
find this way and have the courage and the will to persue it. This is a
life of obedience through faith. It is a life of joy and peace with
Christ. It is a happy life of service. It is by the life of Christ.
There will not be many who enter, compared to the many who go down to
destruction.
Are you in the narrow way or the broad way? The challenge is in
realizing that one may have trusted Jesus who died for him for
salvation, but has not gone on to know the Lord. In that case he is
following the broad way which leads to destruction. The narrow way
which leads to life eternal or kingdom life is the way you need to
strive to enter. Watch this column for articles on this subject.
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