DCLM Sincere Milk 25 October 2023 — Strive
DCLM Sincere Milk 25 October 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Strive
Topic: Strive
Text: Luke 13:22-30
22And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25When 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:
26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28There 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.
29And 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.
30And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
Key Verse: “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Luke 13:24
Message
The kingdom of God is not about meat or drink. Jesus said that whoever puts his hand on the plough and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God. It is not enough to start the race, but to run to the end is the goal. The story of the young prophet in the Old Testament shows us that striving through to the end is the only way to win the crown. The motto for heaven-bound believers is “No waiting, No stopping, Keep moving.”
The Christian journey begins when a sinner comes to Christ in total surrenderedness and commitment of continuing with Him to the end. The Christian then begins to strive against sin, temptation, worldly pleasure etc., in order to continue to run the race. The way to heaven is a narrow way and as such will not be able to take any excess.
Therefore, the believer must daily:
- Seek the Lord in prayers.Hear the voice of God through study of the scriptures.
- Examine himself for readiness for heaven. Crucify the flesh.
- Lean on God’s promises for victory.
Further Reading
Prayer for today
Loving Jesus please hold my hands and help me never to look back till I see You face to face.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
