Brother EB, being that you asked, let's deal with Mathhew 7:14. We know well what it says, but have we considered what it doesn't say?
>It doesn't say what the narrow road is... he doesn't describe it.
> He doesn't say it is doctrine, neither did he ascribe it to lifestyle.
>
If we are going to apply a litmus test to the "narrow road" then we are going to have to look at what Jesus did say:
> He did say that our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). It is interesting that in the 30 verses following that indictment there were 8 times that he said, "you have heard... but I say". Then, what did he say? In every case he addressed the condition of the heart. He was saying, in my opinion, that the road to heaven requires a heart transplant.
> In Matthew 25:31-46 he seems to be saying the qualifying factor is how you treated the poor, the sick and the imprisoned.
I find it a full time job just keeping my heart in the right place so that I can do what he actually said to do and do not have time for all of the specualtion that goes into "Just how narrow is narrow" and then to qualify every thing iwht the old, "Well, what if..." You know the what if's i'm talking about. The ones filled with doubt and fear: what if I'm not strict enough... what if I don't wear my hair just right... what if... what if....
Brother EB, being that you asked, let's deal with Mathhew 7:14. We know well what it says, but have we considered what it doesn't say?
>It doesn't say what the narrow road is... he doesn't describe it.
> He doesn't say it is doctrine, neither did he ascribe it to lifestyle.
>
If we are going to apply a litmus test to the "narrow road" then we are going to have to look at what Jesus did say:
> He did say that our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). It is interesting that in the 30 verses following that indictment there were 8 times that he said, "you have heard... but I say". Then, what did he say? In every case he addressed the condition of the heart. He was saying, in my opinion, that the road to heaven requires a heart transplant.
> In Matthew 25:31-46 he seems to be saying the qualifying factor is how you treated the poor, the sick and the imprisoned.
I find it a full time job just keeping my heart in the right place so that I can do what he actually said to do and do not have time for all of the specualtion that goes into "Just how narrow is narrow" and then to qualify every thing iwht the old, "Well, what if..." You know the what if's i'm talking about. The ones filled with doubt and fear: what if I'm not strict enough... what if I don't wear my hair just right... what if... what if....
Therefore we should then look at what Jesus said about the heart condition and the outer condition.
"All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."
Jesus here explains the narrow road and tight gate, it wasn't about helping little old ladies across the street, and being a good Republican. It was about being in the seat of Moses, with teaching and preaching, but not living what you taught others. Jesus said all 100% they bid you to observe, that they were to do it, because it was Torah. Although they were not to follow the Rabbis hypocrisy. Because while he taught Torah, he himself didn't keep it.
Jesus then commented on the outer attire of the Pharisees, because Jesus more than likely looked like they did. I have friends who are Rabbis who constantly remind me that it is the Christians who call the Pharisee evil, but the Jews call them sages. Therefore we should try to understand how the first century Jewry saw the Rabbi a.k.a Pharisees. Jesus said that they appear beautiful, but on their insides they were full of death. We are to have the mind of Christ (1st Corinthians 2:16), and we are to be holy as He is holy (Eph 5:27, 1Pe 1:15-16) be perfect *mature* as He is complete in His Spiritual maturity (Mat 5:48). Matthew 5:48, isn't dealing with just any kind of maturity, but the complete maturity of the God Himself. .
"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: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
There will always be two groups, two destinations, because we all have a free will to do as we very well please.
This is the great reason why religious leaders from Moses, all the way to Muhammad have had their words modified to appease those who wanted a more user friendly religion. Or to manipulate those who didn't know any better.
For an lion to eat straw like an Ox, he is doing something contrary to his nature. He has be given another heart, and another desire. Jesus is blasting the Pharisees due to their outside not matching their inside. They look like lambs but the speak like dragons, they labor like oxen, but they devour like lions.
Jesus said that we are to clean FIRST the inside of the cup and then the whole will be clean inside and OUT. Jesus wasn't looking for those who were just clean on the outside, but those who had the whole package
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that THE OUTSIDE OF THEM MAY BE CLEAN ALSO."
Outsides should match insides.
American Churchanity has presented us a great and broad way where everyone is going to heaven, no matter what they are into.
American Churchanity has given us a Jesus who looks like Ronald C. "Pigpen" McKernan in a white bathrobe. Who just wants us not sweat the small details and try to do the best we can. Because, everything will get worked out when were dead. When were dead? You mean, I am saved by my own death?
You mean conversion is after I'm dead? Aren't we supposed to work out our own salvation in fear and trembling? The gate is tight, and the way is narrow.
__________________ "all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
~Declaration of Independence
__________________ "all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
~Declaration of Independence
I thought we had taught you how to use an apostrophe!
Hey what ever happened to the Erwin McManus devotee who had the problem with they way I signed my posts? I think his nick was *without works* or something like that. Edward Anglican also chimed in with him at the time.
Whatever, I go back and forth with the apostrophe because of *without work* I thought I would do it from time to time to amuse him, he seemed to take the forum way too serious.
In Jesus name
Brother Benincasa
__________________ "all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
~Declaration of Independence
Hey what ever happened to the Erwin McManus devotee who had the problem with they way I signed my posts? I think his nick was *without works* or something like that. Edward Anglican also chimed in with him at the time.
Whatever, I go back and forth with the apostrophe because of *without work* I thought I would do it from time to time to amuse him, he seemed to take the forum way too serious.
In Jesus name
Brother Benincasa
Oh. I see. It's just to pester him.
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
A haircut would be in order. Erwin McManus does appear to not only look unwashed, but a bit shaggy.
?
__________________ "all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
~Declaration of Independence
A haircut would be in order. Erwin McManus does appear to not only look unwashed, but a bit shaggy.
?
Again, I had to Google around to come up with some idea of what and who you were complaining about.
None of the photos I found looked like this individual was "unwashed," "shaggy" nor really in need of a "haircut." In most of the promo pics he had a crew cut much like your own. Here's a picture with his hair at the longest length I was able to find.
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