“For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power,

which mightily works within me.” -- Colossians 1:29

Where does this passion to strive for Jesus come from?

I want to go back to the beginning with you. Where it all starts. To a place that’s hard to go. A place where all things are stripped away. All things we trust. We love. We depend on. It’s just us. Raw, stripped down, all pretensions gone. All things “uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13) A place where it’s just us. Just Him.

The Lord Jesus brings us here. He tells us this story.

One day a man asked Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" A simple question that gave Jesus opportunity to do something extraordinary. It’s as if He grabbed the man’s hand, and then ours, and pulled back the curtain of time. To show us a day that is yet to come. To let us experience what it will be like if we, today, do not strive for Jesus. For His kingdom. Right now.

“Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from...DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth…

Luke 13:23-25, 27-28

This is the story. We are standing in front of an open door. We are outside. We are told there are “many” who “seek to enter” but won’t get in. So don’t just seek. Strive. You need to get in, must get in. While there’s time. Now, it’s urgent. Strive before the day comes and it’s too late.

But why?

And then it happens. We are there, on the day that’s yet to come. We see it. We witness it. The “head of the house gets up and shuts the door.” It’s like we can hear the sound of it shutting. Locking. Bolting. Never to open again. Never. Once shut forever shut. And we’re outside. We’re part of the company knocking on the door. Pounding. Demanding, “Lord, open up to us!” Like there’s been a mistake. Like the decision isn’t final. Like He will hear us and change His mind.

But He says “no.”

So we knock again. We pound. We persist. We argue our case a second time, “We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.” (Luke 13:26) It has no effect. The answer again is “no.” His decision is final. And there we stand. Outside. Us, me, forever. In complete and absolute shock. Why has He done this? Why has He left us here? Doesn’t He know who we are?

And all that’s left is the sound of His voice from days gone by. When the door was open.

Strive to enter.

 

READ MORE From  http://call2disciple.blogspot.com

 

 

So, what do growing churches have in common?

Ever thought about visiting Rwanda? Here's a great way to go...

Could something so simple really work?

This is a must attend event for HONA church families. Everyone is going to be here! Registration OPEN NOW

She writes icons to help enrich lives, faith in God

And there is much rejoicing....

MI Anglicans share space with Jewish congregation

Our newest congregation talks about the first steps of Trinity Anglican Fellowship, PA

Rev Canon Peter Matthews appointed Canon to the Missionary Bishop for HONA

How a powerful movie can do good

A new ministry to clergy wives launches

The biggest and best Winter Conference ever!

Anglican Church in North American Anglican 1000 Church Planting Conference planned

Eight Indiana parishes have recently come together to form our newest HONA Network, St. Michael

Handmade quilts are true labours of love...St.Barnabas Waterford, ON Supports troops...

What these Heart of North Americans are doing in the heart of the city...

One of the great joys of being a part of the Anglican Province of Rwanda is the opportunity to visit our spiritual home...

Bishop Thaddeus Barnum's masterwork Never Silent is now available at a much reduced price...