Few Is A Few
My pastor has mention this passage a least a couple of times since I have been going:
Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV) “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Notice Jesus says, “there are few who find it“. Not many, few.
Listening to a lecture on Revelation chapters 1 through 3 and one particular passage caught my eye:
Revelation 3:4 (NKJV) You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
Again, Jesus says, “You have a few names…”. Again, not many but few.
I know that churches love to equate themselves to the church in Philadelphia. However, I challenge to each of us to tap the brakes just a bit. Maybe we are the church in Sardis. Maybe there are just many of us who are still producing bad fruit in one way or another. I know I was for 30 years. Sometimes I sit and be stunned on how in the world I thought I was saved and yet my heart was not changed whatsoever.
I wonder how many more people are just like me.
I challenge to go back to the each of the letters to each of the churches in chapter 3 and compare the church in America and throughout the world to those churches but compare our hearts as well.
I am still confused on my whole saved story. I know when I was 19 I asked Christ into my life. But, there were times I put Him on a shelf and did things my own way. Does that mean I wasnt saved? Does that mean my salvation was in jeopardy? I guess Im not sure.
The scriptures actually get confusing in this area of thought.
Acts 2:21 says…
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Yet although I had called on His name, I was quite lukewarm in the beginning…
And so then Revelations 3:16 says…
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
I get so confused when looking back at my life and reading these verses. I know where I am now. Now my faith has been refined and continues to be but I question my past compared to these verses. Which one is right? Am I saved because I called on His name or am I spit out during the lukewarm times?
Can anyone understand my confusion?
Gretchin
For sure.
You and I are saved. That much is a given. But now, we must be completely open to let God come in and change our hearts for good.
I think the book of James says this the best: “Okay, you are now saved by Christ? Then show me your heart. Let’s see your fruits.”
That reminds me of Song of Solomon. God has come before you window in the middle of the night to spend some intimate time with you. You say, “No, I just did my hair or I am too tired. Come back.” God, being a frustrated lover, leaves a reminder that He was here before and goes to your garden to check and see what fruits you have in your garden i.e. what have you been doing that keeps Him from spending time with you.
Remember the song lyric, “In the moment of my weakness // You give me grace to do Your will”. He is a just God but He is also merciful. 100% of both. In the end, He just wants time to spend with you so He can work on your heart to heal you, strengthen you, comfort you and to love you.
I agree. Thank God He has used this last year to really do some BIG work in me. Its weird how much can change in your life because God is doing the cleaning.
My confusion in my last post isnt really about me so much, as I know where I am now and thats all that matters, but….what about friends I have that have asked Christ in, but are still on the ify trail? Do you know what I mean? Sometimes they are doing great and other days, weeks, or heck even months they have backslid. I have one friend who slid for the last year but has jumped back on the bandwagon recently.
I guess I just wonder….so does that mean she wasnt saved? Are the rough patches where we slide back moments of UN-salvation? Im curious about this thought. Hmmm….
I think Imma gonna have-ta blog bout this one Joe =)
I can’t wait to hear more of your thoughts.
Ask God for the opportunities to minister into their lives and the lives around you. Ask God how you can bless them.
God might ask you to walk with them until His will be done.
I know that we are all babes and kids of different ages in our spiritual growth. But as you and I know, when one kid grows or learns something, the other kids (siblings, friends) that are closest to them will learn it as well. Hence, that is the reason why we are meant to do life together, not separate.
so true. and such a sobering thought. someone asked me recently..”tam, what if you have it all wrong? what if your not where you are suppose to be?”
sigh…
well. im not where im suppose to be. im certain of that. i drag my feet. i ignore the one true God all too often. yet…He is full of grace and knows that my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. but for grace i would not be saved. but i AM saved. i just have a lot of learning and growing to do. by His strength!
That is what is so fantastic: He is our Teacher and He is our Portion. We learn and grow only by Him and not of ourselves.