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NASB | Matthew 7:13 ¶ "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 7:13 ¶ "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. |
Subject: Born on the way to destruction ? |
Bible Note: Dear Curt: Thank you for your response. I agree with you that long before we came to Christ his eye was upon us. It is not my intention to argue Calvinism verses Arminism. I also realize that their are many Christians who cannot give the exact date of their conversion to God, but they will know that "they have passed from death unto life".(John 5:24) As a young boy I rested my all upon the promise of John 3:16 and I believe that my sins were forgiven and I was placed into the family of God. However, I had a lot of growing up to do and made some major side tracks, in retrospect I can see his hand upon me even when I thought I had lost my way. He is faithful to his promise and I believe once a son, always a son for which I praise his precious name. In regards to the disciples. I would agree that all l2 followed him when he called them. However, it would appear that profession does not always make one a true disciple as in the case of Judas. Would you not think that he is an example of an apostate; he professed to follow Christ, he acted as the other disciples, and was numbered with them. The problem was, that he did not really know who Jesus was, had he known him he would not of sold him out. There is a great difference between Judas and Peter. Peter was the one who said to the Lord Jesus "Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God". The Holy Spirit had revealled this to him and he believed it. Peter denyed the Lord three times out of fear, and yet his repentance was genuine as he wept bitterly as Christ looked on him. Do you not think that at the time of our Lord Jesus that things were in transition relative to the gospel. In fact the idea that Jesus would die for the whole world was hid from his people and the prophets of old. As we watch the progression of revealed truth in the Acts it is clear that those who were preached to in those early days, heard the word that they responded to it by accepting or rejecting the truth. Paul would tells us that the day which he came to know Christ was on the road to Damascus. The Philippian Jailor would tell us that it was the night of the earthquake. Lydia would tell us that it was that day by the riverside. Onesimus would tell us that he came to know Christ as a runaway slave in Rome. Curt, I am not trying to be argumentive. I know that God is sovereign, and that by his spirit he speaks to the hearts of men and women in their lives with the intent that they would come to Christ. Jesus said in his day "Strive to enter in at the strait gate". Peace in his name Robert |