June
2, 2003
THE
NARROW GATE, Part II
"Strive
to enter through the narrow gate" (Luke 13:24, NKJV).
"Many
are attracted by the beauty of Christ and the glory of heaven,
who yet shrink from the conditions by which alone these can
become their own. There are many in the broad way who are
not fully satisfied with the path in which they walk. They
long to break from the slavery of sin, and in their own strength
they seek to make a stand against their sinful practices.
They look toward the narrow way and the strait gate; but selfish
pleasure, love of the world, pride, unsanctified ambition,
place a barrier between them and the Saviour. To renounce
their own will, their chosen objects of affection or pursuit,
requires a sacrifice at which they hesitate and falter and
turn back. Many 'will seek to enter
and will not be able' (Luke 13:24). They desire the
good, they make some effort to obtain it; but they do not
choose it; they have not a settled purpose to secure it at
the cost of all things.
"The
only hope for us if we would overcome is to unite our will
to God's will and work in cooperation with Him, hour by hour
and day by day. We cannot retain self and yet enter the kingdom
of God. If we ever attain unto holiness, it will be through
the renunciation of self and the reception of the mind of
Christ. Pride and self-sufficiency must be crucified. Are
we willing to pay the price required of us? Are we willing
to have our will brought into perfect conformity to the will
of God? Until we are willing, the transforming grace of God
cannot be manifest upon us...
"Jacob,
in the great crisis of his life, turned aside to pray. He
was filled with one overmastering purpose - to seek for transformation
of character. But while he was pleading with God, an enemy,
as he supposed, placed his hand upon him, and all night he
wrestled for his life. But the purpose of his soul was not
changed by peril of life itself. When his strength was nearly
spent, the Angel put forth His divine power, and at His touch
Jacob knew Him with whom he had been contending. Wounded and
helpless, he fell upon the Saviour's breast, pleading for
a blessing. He would not be turned aside nor cease his intercession,
and Christ granted the petition of this helpless, penitent
soul, according to His promise. 'Let
him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with
Me; and he shall make peace with Me' (Isaiah 27:5).
Jacob pleaded with determined spirit, 'I will not let You
go unless You bless me!' (Genesis 32:26). This spirit of persistence
was inspired by Him who wrestled with the patriarch. It was
He who gave him the victory, and He changed his name from
Jacob to Israel, saying, 'You have struggled
with God and with men, and have prevailed' (Genesis
32:28). That for which Jacob had vainly wrestled in his own
strength was won through self-surrender and steadfast faith.
'This is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith'
(1 John 5:4). Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing,
pp., 143, 144.
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