30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 13 22-30 The narrow door 04 The preparation of faith
📖 Luke 13:22-30
17Oct19 - *The preparation of faith* - _Luke 13:22-30_ - Bible reading: _Romans 9:30-33_
_Luke 13:23-24 Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" And He said to them, (24) “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able._
Yesterday, we saw the first preparation to understand the way of the cross. Our trust must be in God and not on the material. It will be very few, who will stop trusting the material and place their trust in God. Will you be part of the few?
Let us now look at the second preparation. In Matthew 20, we see the parable of a landowner, who hired labourers, at different times of the day, to work in his vineyard. At the end of the day, he paid those who were hired last, first, and he paid them the amount that he had fixed with the first group of workers. Those who were hired first, expected that they would get more. When they got the same amount, they complained but the landowner made it clear to them that he was being fair.
The Lord then gave the principle, _Matthew 20:16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."_
What is the lesson from this parable? The Jews were privileged to be chosen by God, first, and God had revealed His oracles and the laws of God to them. We, the Gentiles, came into His kingdom later and many, both Jews and Gentiles are continuing to come into His kingdom. The agreement is the same for everyone, all of us come into His kingdom by faith in Jesus Christ, for righteousness is not by the keeping of the law _Romans 3:21-31_
The Jews stumbled at this stumbling stone _Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; (31) but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. (32) Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. (33) As it is written: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STUMBLING STONE AND ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME."_
Friends, we have entered in by faith and we remain in His kingdom by faith in Jesus. Let us never ever forget that the relationship with Jesus, is by faith alone. Faith, which is demonstrated by doing His will.
Trusting God and not the material is the first preparation and faith in Jesus demonstrated by doing His will, is the second preparation.
*Thought to ponder*
```He is preparing us to be the people of the cross```