by Pastor Afolabi Oladele

He didn’t hide from the Smyrnaian Church that imprisonment and deep trial awaited them, yet the word of comfort remained fear not! Will that be sufficient for me or for you in the coming times? Remember what Matthew 7:13,14 said concerning the way to life, that few find it, yet more from Luke 13:24-30 that having found it, there is a striving to enter. And that striving is time barred.

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. Matthew 7:13-14

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last. Luke 13:24-30

Don’t preoccupy yourselves with the things that won’t count to your redemption because the striving is assisted striving.

And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Romans 5:16-18 NLT

If we fail of this great grace, it will be because we never paid attention to submitting to His spirit who is to help us. Again let the long break leading into 2021 count for something in your intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Selah

Photo by Steve Giampa on Unsplash