DARK LIGHT SERIES

NINE

THE FIRST JOURNEY OF FAITH

PART ONE – ENTER YE IN

We have now proven beyond question in this DARK LIGHT series that AGAPE LOVE is the issue between man and God, and that there are two aspects to the Lord Jesus Christ. We have shown how the historical Christ laid the foundation for what was to come, and that CONVERSION is the first step in the process that is supposed to lead to a true union with Jesus at regeneration. It is the hidden aspect of Christ that we must lay hold of, if we are to be saved.

We have proven that mankind does not know anything about agape love, because he lost that essence at the fall, and is therefore shut off from God. Agape love not being a part of his nature, he does not know it, it is hidden, a secret, a mystery. Man walks in darkness, and is blind to the light of agape love. We have shown you that agape love, because it is hidden, cannot be known by the natural man, or by sense knowledge.

The gulf which exists between man and God has created a destitution within, a vacuum deep inside the heart. The gulf is created by the vast differences between the phileo loves of man and the agape love of God. We must somehow JUMP OVER THE GULF, IF WE ARE TO SECURE THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD, and THE UNION WITH CHRIST THAT WE NEED. Without it, we remain lost and dead in our trespasses and sins. THE HOLDER OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD, THE HOLDER OF AGAPE LOVE, HAS JUMPED THE GULF:

When Jesus came into the world, He penetrated the time/space continuum and introduced man, who lives in the physical sense world, to the realities of the Spirit world. He introduced to the world AGAPE LOVE AND THE SPIRIT ESSENCE OF THAT TYPE OF LOVE.

The process of RECONCILIATION BEGAN WITH THE WORK OF CHRIST UPON THE CROSS. It was man-ward:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth

peace, good will TOWARD MEN.”

(Luke 2:14)

As previously discussed, the work of Christ upon the cross was a work which RECONCILED GOD TO MAN. God became the friend of man. The question becomes: How do we become the friend of God? Is modern Christian theology correct in that all we need to do is ACCEPT IT AND EMBRACE IT IN AN ACT OF FAITH? Or is there more to it than that? This book is not inferring that the work of Christ was not a finished work, a complete and total work. What we are warning you about is that THE NATURE OF MAN, HIS HOSTILE INNER HEART IS WHAT PREVENTS HIM FROM RECONCILING HIMSELF TO GOD, BY A SIMPLE ACT OF FAITH. What we are exploring in this book and in particular these next four chapters, IS WHAT MAN MUST DO, IF ANYTHING, TO ‘ENTER IN’, to the New Covenant.

The vast majority of Christians failed to enter in to the New Covenant, they were not protected by the grace of God, and there was no mercy to them at their rejection. The vast majority of Christians therefore held a totally erroneous view of what FAITH AND GRACE MEANT, WHAT CONVERSION AND REGENERATION WERE, AND WHAT WORKS AND LEGALISM REALLY MEAN. They had totally underestimated the SEVERITY OF GOD. This should be enough warning to all Christians to take heed to the Scriptural parameters laid down for us by the Lord Jesus Christ and OBEY THEM.

Christ and Peter warned us that a false gospel, a gospel so deceptive, and so close to the real thing, would sweep the Church and damn millions of Christians who bought into it. These false teachers would ADVANCE A NEW ‘METHOD’ FOR ENTERING IN TO THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST, AND WOULD CLAIM A NEW HEART, A NEW SPIRIT, A NEW UNION WHICH WAS UTTERLY FALSE AND UNTRUE. They would claim by their theology that the commands of Christ to enter the strait gate and walk the narrow way were for Israel, and did not apply to the Church, or that Christ did it for them, and all they had to do was appropriate His work by a simple act of faith. They would quote a multitude of verses that claim we are saved by faith; we are justified by faith and so on. They would turn faith itself into salvation. Whereas the Scripture makes it very clear that the words ‘by faith’ mean IT IS THE DYNAMIC OF FAITH THAT PROPELS YOU THROUGH TO BEING SAVED, THEY WOULD CLAIM THAT IT WAS FAITH ITSELF THAT SAVED YOU, THAT FAITH ITSELF WAS SALVATION ITSELF.

Could it be a twist on words, a subtle doublespeak, in which the object of salvation is discarded, while the vehicle used to get to the object becomes the object itself? Let’s say you want a car, a bright shiny sports car, to be exact. That is the object. The vehicle that gets you to the object so that you can POSSESS IT is $20,000.00. Is the $20,000 THE CAR, OR IS THE $20,000 only the means to get you to the car, so you can HAVE THE CAR FOR YOUR VERY OWN? Is the $20,000 the car itself? Can you ride in it? Can you put gas in it and drive to town? A stack of money is a stack of money! Unless and until you pick it up, and USE IT, SPEND IT, IT WILL NOT AVAIL YOU OF YOUR CAR. If you take your money, and spend it, YOU THEN POSSESS THE OBJECT, WHICH IS THE CAR.

Another example would be that you wish to drive to a city. The city is your objective. The car is your method of getting there. The car is THE DYNAMIC THAT PROPELS YOU OVER THE HIGHWAYS UNTIL YOU REACH THE DESTINATION. Is the car the city? Does the car ever become the city? A car is a car, and a city is a city.

Would the false teachers have you believe that FAITH (which is in reality the dynamic) IS SALVATION ITSELF? Did they turn the money into the sports car and the car into the city? IS FAITH ITSELF EVER SALVATION? Is FAITH ITSELF EVER TAUGHT IN SCRIPTURE AS SALVATION? Or is THE DYNAMIC OF FAITH THAT WHICH GETS US TO SALVATION? Is not salvation the OBJECT, and faith the POWER that GETS YOU THE OBJECT, WHICH IS SALVATION?

Salvation is defined in Scripture as UNION WITH CHRIST. Salvation in Scripture is defined as AGAPE LOVE BESTOWMENT. Salvation, it will be proved, is MEETING THE LIVING JESUS CHRIST, AND JOINING TOGETHER WITH HIM IN UNION. If you allow faith itself to take the place of LITERAL AND REAL UNION WITH CHRIST, HE WILL BE FORCED TO SAY, “I NEVER KNEW YOU”. You become an idol worshipper, and faith itself is your idol. You become an adulterer, and faith is your partner in adultery. We will go into this in depth as we proceed, for it is essential FAITH BE UNDERSTOOD FROM THE BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE.

It will become clear to you that Jesus Christ defines faith exactly the opposite than modern Christianity does. The two concepts are direct opposites; they are alien to each other. Saving faith as defined by Christ is a faith that has been PROVEN TRUE BY THE SEVERE TRIAL OF THE NARROW WAY. Your faith is proven GENUINE BY YOUR COMPLETION OF THE JOURNEY TO THE BESTOWMENT OF AGAPE LOVE. It is your faith that brings you the victory, but faith itself is NOT THE VICTORY. The victory is PERSONAL UNION WITH JESUS CHRIST. We are JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, because OUR FAITH TOOK US THROUGH THE NARROW WAY TO UNION, AND IT IS THE UNION WITH CHRIST ITSELF THAT JUSTIFIES YOU. Faith never justified BY ITSELF, ANYONE. That is why Paul told you that you could have FAITH TO REMOVE MOUNTAINS AND YOU WOULD STILL BE DAMNED, BECAUSE YOU DID NOT HAVE AGAPE LOVE, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS. Faith in all cases is a dynamic, never the object.

The vast majority of Christians would buy into this new type of faith gospel, in which faith itself would take the place of all the commands of Christ. If Jesus said to pick up your cross, they would say, “Jesus did it for me, all I need is faith”. If Jesus said walk the narrow way, they would say, “Jesus did it for me, I appropriate His work by faith”. If you told them that union with Christ was needed for salvation, they would answer that they have union, it is done by faith. They would make faith the ‘be all and end all’ of Christianity. FAITH WOULD BE MADE INTO GOD HIMSELF, CHRIST HIMSELF, THE ULTIMATE DECEPTION, THE ULTIMATE HERESY. In other words, BY FAITH THEY BELIEVE THAT REGENERATION HAS OCCURRED. The Bible does NOT tell you that, it tells you just THE OPPOSITE.

Instead of wearing the white robes of AGAPE LOVE, they wore the ROBES OF FAITH, AND IT COST THEM ETERNITY. The destiny of human souls is at stake here, which is no light matter. Charges of legalism, works or a perversion of grace must be substantiated wholly by Scripture. This book is not a challenge to the finished work of Christ, OR the all sufficiency of His blood shed on behalf of sinners. THE ISSUE OF THIS BOOK IS HOW WE

APPROPRIATE

THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST.

The ‘many’ did not appropriate His work. The non-overcomers did not. The many who followed after the false teachers did not. They did not enter in. No amount of argument can deny that fact. The vast majority of Christians FAILED UTTERLY TO ENTER IN TO THE NEW COVENANT. They face eternal ruin WITHOUT RECOURSE AS A RESULT. It does you not one wit of good for you to claim you have ‘entered in’ when the reality is YOU HAVE NOT. You nor I can afford to make a mistake here. A mistake will cost us eternity for we cannot extricate ourselves from eternal ruin if we are wrong. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS THE MARK. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE WRONG. NOTHING COULD BE MORE SERIOUS, NOTHING MORE GRAVE.

The only thing that will save us is FULL OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMANDS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. We must keep His sayings; we must do the will of the Father. If we wish to avoid deception, WE MUST STUDY ENOUGH TO SPOT ERROR. At the core of every FALSE TEACHER, PREACHER OR EVANGELIST IS A TOTAL AND COMPLETE CONTRADICTION TO THE STRAIT GATE AND NARROW WAY. They always will and must

DENY THE STRAIT GATE AND NARROW WAY OR

CLAIM UNION WITH CHRIST AT THE BEGINNING AND WALK THE

NARROW WAY AFTER UNION HAS OCCURRED.

Both cases are a complete and total contradiction to the Lord. It does not matter how they deny it, only that THEY DO DENY IT. Faith and grace are the usual ways of denial, with charges of ‘works’ or ‘legalism’ involved. If the narrow way is not denied, as it is not in some of the more fundamental camps, it is REDEFINED. It is defined as THE WAY OF HOLINESS, AS A HOLINESS WALK. IT IS NOT. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HOLINESS. IT IS A WALK OF JUDGMENT TO THE DEATH. Far being a holiness walk, it is a walk to show you HOW UNHOLY YOU ARE. IT IS THE REVERSE OF A HOLINESS WALK. Jesus Christ and Peter warned you they would contradict and deny

THE WAY.

Modern Christianity in every single denomination DENIES THE WAY. Their theology may differ on HOW THEY DENY IT, DISAVOW IT, OR CONTRADICT IT, but THE POINT IS THEY DO. Even the holiness people deny it. They deny it because they APPROPRIATE A UNION THEY DO NOT HAVE AT THE BEGINNING, THEY CLAIM AN AGAPE LOVE THEY DO NOT HAVE AT THE BEGINNING, AND THEN THEY SEEK TO PERFECT AN AGAPE LOVE THEY DO NOT EVEN POSSESS, AND CLAIM THAT IS THE NARROW WAY, AS I WILL NOW PROVE.

The graphic shows us the problem. Man is over in phileo love land, working on the scale of relative righteousness. Between him and God is a very powerful barrier, which for simplicities sake is called the SIN BARRIER. Jesus said that we must enter the strait gate and walk the narrow way to find life, or LIGHT. This is the process of THE RECONCILIATION OF MAN TOWARDS GOD. Because man RESIDES IN UTTER DARKNESS, HE MUST BE FIRST PREPARED AND SANCTIFIED BEFORE HE MAY COME TO THE LIGHT. If he does not prepare himself, and he breaks forth upon God, he will die. The many broke forth unto the Lord, and they perished. All of this was proved out in the previous DARK LIGHT series.

The reconciliation process was initiated by God towards man. This side of the reconciliation process was total and complete. It is now up to every human soul to RECONCILE THEMSELVES TO GOD. GOD PROVIDED THE METHOD BY WHICH THIS PROCESS COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED. It is simply called the NARROW WAY. At the END of the narrow way lies the entrance to the New Covenant, the DOOR OR JESUS CHRIST. Jesus warned us repeatedly that there was only ONE WAY to this new heart. If we refuse to be obedient to these commands, because of bias, theology, deceptions, delusions, pride, arrogance, stupidity, or whatever other reason you wish to conjure up, you will have a BIG UNPLEASANT AND NASTY SHOCK AWAITING YOU.

If we refuse the strait gate and narrow way, and claim by our theology we have a union we do not have, we have come into the sheepfold SOME OTHER WAY. We are then termed BASTARDS by the Lord, and are REJECTED OUT OF HAND. It is the barrier of the mind itself, of the inner darkness of our human hearts, that plant within our minds ALL OF THE REASONS, BIASES, DELUSIONS, AND DECEPTIONS THAT KEEP US FROM UNDERTAKING THE NARROW WAY. These are the obstacles in the parable of the sower: Satan and his demons, false Christian theology or the cares and pleasures of this world.

There is a real and literal satanic dominion over the minds of mankind. It is a lethal barrier of great strength, and it is the barrier, coupled to the darkness of the human heart, that our CONSCIOUS MINDS, HEARTS AND WILLS MUST COME AGAINST. When Jesus used the terms STRAIT AND NARROW He picked His terms carefully.

The chains of your bondage must be broken, and your weapons to break them are FAITH, THE WORD OF GOD, THE POWER OF GOD, PATIENCE AND ENDURANCE UNDER TRIAL. You will be entering TRUE SPIRITUAL WARFARE UPON A MASSIVE SCALE. You have not one thing to fear, for THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL BE WITH YOU ALL THE WAY, LIGHTING YOUR PATH, GUIDING YOU THROUGH. It will not seem it. It will seem that you are utterly alone. When your friends reject you, when your church rejects you, when the world turns its back upon you, REJOICE, FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Jesus said very bluntly and adamantly that you either enter in via the strait gate, or you don’t come in at all. There are no other gates that lead to the narrow way. This is the WAY OF RECONCILIATION. IT IS THE PROCESS BY WHICH GOD WILL UNMASK THE DELUSIONS AND DECEPTIONS THAT YOU ARE IN, THE ONE WAY HE USES TO CONVICT YOU OF ONE SIN: YOU DO NOT AGAPE LOVE.

PICK UP THY CROSS – STRIVE TO ENTER IN

Just what did Jesus mean when He said we must ENTER IN? What does He means when He says we must PICK UP OUR CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM? Are these commands, or are they mere suggestions? It is imperative that we find out EXACTLY what He means, for we are given no other place by which we can enter the narrow way. We either enter here, or we do not enter.

“ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIT GATE…”

(Matthew 7:13)

“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)

Remember the “many” on the BROAD ROAD? The “many” who followed after the FALSE TEACHERS? The “many” who stood before Christ rejected? The “many” called but only the few chosen from them? Now we have “many” who seek to enter into heaven via Christ, but will not be able. Why were they not able? Could it be that they simply refused to TAKE UP THEIR OWN CROSS? That their theology PREVENTED THEM FROM REALIZING JESUS MEANT EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID? How else could nice, decent folks get themselves cast into eternal ruin? It has to be deception. Does this imply that they could not because of some genetic problem, or is it a problem of the heart, of deception? God is not willing that any should perish, therefore FOR HIS WORD TO BE TRUE, ALL WOULD HAVE TO BE ABLE IF THEY WANTED. We also have proved that God gives them power to BECOME A SON OF GOD, if they will EXERCISE THAT POWER.

If they are given the power by God Himself at their CONVERSION to Christ, then why were they not able? The answer must be DECEPTION BY THEOLOGY. Their theology told them that anything other than FAITH ITSELF was a heresy, a form of “works” or of “legalism” of some type. Jesus commanded that we STRIVE to even ENTER THE STRAIT GATE. Their theology would not allow them to “strive” because it would be in violation of grace and faith. Thus, via their theology, they CONTRADICT JESUS CHRIST, THEY DISAVOW WHAT JESUS COMMANDED. “WHY DO YOU CALL ME LORD, LORD, AND DO NOT THE THINGS THAT I SAY?” It is a warning to us all.

The word “strive” as you know means to AGONIZE IN HARD LABOR. It carries with it the connotation of a SEVERE STRUGGLE. It carries with it the implication that a soul MUST BE ALL STIRRED UP TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING, ONE THAT IS EAGER, HOT, FULL OF ZEAL OR ZEST, ONE WITH A PURPOSE, A SINGLE MINDED DETERMINATION TO ACCOMPLISH. There is no question here that a DECISION TO COMMIT oneself to DO SOMETHING is commanded by the Lord. Is entering the strait gate in reality THE DECISION TO ACT? It is one thing to say I will pick up my cross; it is quite another TO ACTUALLY PICK IT UP!

“He that TAKETH NOT HIS CROSS,

AND FOLLOWETH AFTER ME,

IS NOT WORTHY OF ME.”

(Matthew 10:38)

The word “taketh” here is ‘labano’ which means TO LAY HOLD OF, TO TAKE, TO ACT. The very act of picking up your cross then REQUIRES A DECISION OF THE CONSCIOUS WILL TO DO SOMETHING. What are we supposed to do? How do I pick up my cross? Modern theology would say by and large this means acts of self-denial. In reality it is the ultimate self-denial, as will be shown you. Notice that Jesus said ANYONE WHO DOES NOT IS NOT WORTHY. In plain English it means IF YOU WON’T, YOU DON’T ENTER HEAVEN. Thus a direct COMMAND, which MUST BE FOLLOWED, or heaven is an eternity away. The word “worthy” is ‘axios’ which means DESERVING, SUITABLE, COMPARABLE.

“And WHOSOEVER DOTH NOT

BEAR HIS CROSS,

AND COME AFTER ME,

CANNOT

BE MY DISCIPLE.”

(Luke 14:27)

The word “bear” is ‘bastazo’ and it means TO ENDURE, TO SUSTAIN, TO CARRY. The word for “come” is ‘erchomai’ which means TO ACCOMPANY, TO ENTER. Read what Jesus says here very carefully. IT IS A DIRECT COMMAND FROM JESUS CHRIST. This is not an optional issue; this is a direct REQUIREMENT FOR SALVATION. Jesus is blunt: IF YOU REFUSE, YOU CANNOT BE HIS DISCIPLE. It is not possible. In other words, Christ is laying down PARAMETERS, HE IS LAYING DOWN CONDITIONS. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. There are no exceptions. EVERYONE MUST COME IN THE SAME WAY.

There are other verses that we will examine later, but for now it should be perfectly clear to you that JESUS IS ISSUING A COMMAND THAT MUST BE COMPLIED WITH. It is not optional; it is not canceled because your theology does not allow it. EITHER DO IT OR PERISH FOR ETERNITY. But again, we ask, what does Jesus mean by this TAKING UP, OR LIFTING UP THE CROSS? We will study the CROSS ITSELF A LITTLE LATER, BUT FOR NOW WE NEED A PRACTICAL AND USEFUL KNOWLEDGE SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT JESUS MEANS BY ENTERING IN, OR LIFTING UP OUR CROSS.

“And there IS NONE

THAT CALLETH UPON THY NAME,

THAT STIRRETH UP HIMSELF

TO TAKE HOLD OF THEE:

FOR THOU HAST HID THY FACE FROM US,

AND HAST CONSUMED US, BECAUSE OF OUR INIQUITIES.”

(Isaiah 64:7)

The word “calleth” is ‘qara’, which means TO ACCOST, TO CRY OUT, TO CALL OUT TO. It implies a great urgency, a great NEED. The word for “stirreth” is ‘uwr’ and it means TO WAKE UP, TO OPEN YOUR EYES, TO STIR YOURSELF UP, TO RISE UP. The implication here is TO ROUSE YOURSELF FROM YOUR SLUMBER, BECAUSE YOU ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE. It carries with it the implication of AUTHENTIC REVIVAL, OF A GREAT STIRRING OF THE SOUL, OF A TOTAL AND COMPLETE CHANGE OF PRIORITIES!

“Whom shall he TEACH KNOWLEDGE? And whom shall he

MAKE TO UNDERSTAND DOCTRINE?

THEM THAT are WEANED FROM THE MILK, AND DRAWN FROM THE BREASTS.

FOR PRECEPT MUST BE UPON PRECEPT,

PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT;

LINE UPON LINE, LINE UPON LINE;

HERE A LITTLE, AND THERE A LITTLE.”

(Isaiah 28:9-10)

Jesus said we are to LABOR FOR THE MEAT that endures unto everlasting life (John 6:27). MEAT IS DOCTRINE. In order for doctrine to be effective, it first of all has to be UNDERSTOOD, and secondly OBEYED. Doctrine in the mind that is not ALLOWED TO WORK ITS WORK, AND NOT APPLIED TO THE SELF, IS WORTHLESS. We must DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM OUT. If doctrine is built line upon line, precept on precept, here a little and there a little, THIS INDICATES THAT IT TAKES TIME AND EFFORT TO COME TO A SAVING KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD.

“My son,

IF (THE HUGE CONDITIONAL IF)

THOU WILT RECEIVE MY WORDS, AND HIDE MY COMMANDMENTS

WITH THEE;

SO THAT THOU INCLINE THINE EAR UNTO WISDOM,

AND APPLY THINE HEART TO UNDERSTANDING;

YEA, IF THOU

CRIEST AFTER KNOWLEDGE,

AND LIFTEST UP THY VOICE FOR UNDERSTANDING;

IF THOU SEEKEST HER AS SILVER,

AND SEARCHEST FOR HER AS FOR HID TREASURES;

THEN (THE HUGE QUALIFIER, THEN)

SHALT THOU UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD,

AND FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.”

(Proverbs 2:1-5)

The words CRIEST, SEEKEST, SEARCHEST, INCLINE AND APPLY should tell you something of the nature of the search to find THE KNOWLEDGE OF AGAPE LOVE. Notice the TREASURE IS HIDDEN. AGAPE LOVE IS HIDDEN. IT IS THE GULF BETWEEN MAN AND GOD, A GREAT GULF OF SILENCE. The conditions listed are very clear: THE SEARCHING, THE SEEKING, THE CRYING AFTER, ARE DONE BEFORE THE FINDING. Do not put the cart before the horse. Do not get the sequence IN REVERSE. The CONDITION that God puts on the finding of His SECRET AGAPE LOVE IS THAT YOU SEEK, SEARCH, AND CRY AFTER IT.

You do not FIND IT FIRST, AND SEEK IT OUT SECOND. Modern Christian theology puts the cart before the horse. There is an IMPERATIVE STIRRING OF THE SOUL IMPLIED HERE. The word “incline” is ‘qashab’, and it means TO PRICK UP THE EARS, TO HEARKEN, TO GIVE HEED, TO MARK WELL, TO REGARD. The word “apply” is ‘natah’ and it means TO STRETCH OUT, TO REACH OUT FOR, TO ACCOST, TO CRY OUT FOR. The word “seeketh” is ‘baquash’ and it means TO SEARCH OUT BY ANY METHOD, TO STRIVE AFTER, TO BEG FOR, TO BESEECH, TO MAKE INQUISITION. The word for “searchest” is ‘chahas’, and it means to DILIGENTLY SEARCH, TO SEEK AFTER, TO SEARCH A MATTER OUT. All of these words imply much more than we think. IT WILL BE VERIFIED THAT GOD HAS WARNED HIS PEOPLE IN MANY PLACES THAT THE TRUTH THAT SETS US FREE, THIS MYSTERIOUS AGAPE LOVE, IS SO WELL HIDDEN THAT UNLESS YOU PUT YOUR WHOLE HEART INTO IT, YOU WILL NOT FIND IT.

The word for “find” is ‘matas’ and it means TO COME FORTH, TO APPEAR, TO ACQUIRE, TO MEET, OR TO BE PRESENT. At the end of your search, you ARE TO FIND SOMETHING, AND YOU ARE TO KNOW IN THE ABSOLUTE SENSE YOU HAVE FOUND IT. If you could not know if you had found it, then you would search forever. There is a FINDING AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY. There is an END to your first journey of faith. The finding is the finding of AGAPE LOVE. The finding is the finding of Jesus Christ.

“Happy is the man THAT FINDETH WISDOM,

AND THE MAN WHO GETTETH UNDERSTANDING.

FOR THE MERCHANDISE OF IT IS BETTER THAN

THE MERCHANDISE OF SILVER,

AND THE GAIN THEREOF THAN FINE GOLD.

SHE IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBIES:

AND ALL THE THINGS THOU CANST DESIRE

ARE NOT COMPARED TO HER.

Length of days is in her right hand;

and in her left hand riches and honour.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her

paths are peace.

SHE IS A TREE OF LIFE

TO THEM THAT LAY HOLD UPON HER:

AND HAPPY IS EVERY ONE THAT RETAINETH HER.”

(Proverbs 3:13-18)

The obtaining of this “wisdom” is called the TREE OF LIFE. Could God be speaking of AGAPE LOVE LIFE? Compare this verse to 1 John 3:1 and 3:14. It is agape love that brings eternal life, which is LENGTH OF DAYS. There is a direct tie between wisdom, knowledge and ETERNAL LIFE. Notice also the VALUE OF THIS WISDOM. It is more precious than LIFE ITSELF, FOR WE ALL DESIRE THAT WE LIVE, AND THIS IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN THAT. Notice that in her is found the pathway of peace. Peace is the opposite of hostility. When two parties RECONCILE, THERE IS PEACE. Is this the peace with God?

“WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING;

THEREFORE GET WISDOM:

AND WITH ALL THY GETTING,

GET UNDERSTANDING.

EXHALT HER, AND SHE SHALL PROMOTE THEE:

SHE SHALL BRING THEE TO HONOUR,

WHEN THOU DOST EMBRACE HER.

SHE SHALL GIVE TO THINE HEAD AN ORNAMENT OF GRACE:

A CROWN OF GLORY SHALL SHE DELIVER TO THEE.”

(Proverbs 4:7-9)

Wisdom is called the PRINCIPAL THING. The word “principal” is ‘reshiyth”, and it means FIRST IN TIME, PLACE, RANK OR ORDER. It means the

TOP, UPPERMOST IN PRIORITY,

NOTHING CAN BE ALLOWED TO SUPERSEDE IT.

With all thy getting, get wisdom. This is an all out SEARCH. This means that we are to put everything we have into it, every last bit of effort we can muster. WITH ALL THY GETTING.

The word “all” is ‘kol’ which means THE WHOLE, EVERY PART. In other words, you are to apply EVERY FIBER OF YOUR BEING, YOUR HEART, SOUL AND MIND TO THIS SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH. God is commanding you to EXERCISE YOUR WHOLE BEING, AND TO THROW ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS INTO IT. He must consider it an imperative, for Christ verified it, as you will see. If you will change your priorities and make this SEARCH FOR WISDOM THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF LIFE ABOVE ALL THINGS (EXHALT HER), THEN SHE WILL BRING TO YOU THE ORNAMENT OF GRACE. What is the ornament of grace? The “many” stood before Christ rejected. They were not under THE GRACE OF GOD. They only THOUGHT they were under the grace of God, and their theology is what made them think it. Who is under the ORNAMENT OF GRACE? Only the overcomers, only the REGENERATED, ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE FOUND THE SECRET OF GOD: AGAPE LOVE.

This wisdom brings not only GRACE, BUT A CROWN OF GLORY. The only ones who are given crowns in the Scripture ARE THE OVERCOMERS, THE REGENERATED. No one else can enter heaven, because Christ made it perfectly clear YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN TO ENTER HEAVEN. Therefore this wisdom has got to be AGAPE LOVE WISDOM, and it verifies the other statements of God: IT IS HIDDEN, SECRET, AND UNLESS AND UNTIL YOU DECIDE TO FIND IT WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART, ALL OF YOUR SOUL AND ALL OF YOUR MIND YOU WILL NOT FIND IT.

“But SEEK YE

FIRST

the KINGDOM OF GOD,

AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS;

and all these things shall be added unto you.”

(Matthew 6:33)

This command of the Lord’s is included in the Sermon on the Mount, which you will recall, from our previous DARK LIGHT series, is a sermon on HOW TO GET SAVED. What Jesus is saying here is exactly what God said in Proverbs. The word “first” is ‘proton’ and it means FIRST IN TIME, ORDER OR PLACE OF IMPORTANCE. Jesus demands that the search for the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD BE PLACED AS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF YOUR LIFE. He must feel it essential for salvation to occur, because if not, He would not have said it, nor would it be in the Sermon on the Mount.

“STUDY

TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED

UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN

THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED,

RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.”

(2 Timothy 2:15)

This verse of Scripture means far more than most Christians are aware. The word “study” is ‘spoudazo’ and it means TO MAKE EFFORT, TO BE EARNEST, TO GIVE DILIGENCE, TO ENDURE, TO LABOR, TO STUDY. It is a command of God and Christ that WE DILIGENTLY SEEK OUT THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE. The only reason you would have to do that would be if THERE WAS SOMETHING VERY WELL HIDDEN WITHIN THE WORDS OF GOD THAT REQUIRES EXTENSIVE SEARCH. The word “workman” is ‘ergates’ and it means TO BE LABORER, A WORKER. The command here is that we study so that we ARE APPROVED. Therefore if we refuse to study, we will NOT BE APPROVED. What does it mean to be approved by God? The word “approved” is ‘dokimos’ which means ACCEPTED, APPROVED. Who does God approve of? The only ones that get to heaven are the overcomers or the REGENERATED. The many were not approved, they were sent away.

If we are to study, then the object of our study is to LEARN SOMETHING, TO UNCOVER SOME TRUTH THAT GOD WANTS US TO FIND. If we find it, then we will become APPROVED AND ACCEPTED OF THE LORD. If we fail to find it, then we will not be accepted. Is that why Jesus said we must CONTINUE IN HIS DOCTRINE TO FIND ‘THE TRUTH’? Is this truth of AGAPE LOVE so well hidden from man that A VERY DIFFICULT SEARCH MUST BE MADE TO UNCOVER WHAT IT IS?

“Take my yoke upon you,

AND LEARN OF ME;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find REST for your souls.”

(Matthew 11:29)

The command of Christ is that we learn from Him. It is not an optional statement; it is an imperative statement or command. The word “learn” is ‘manthano’, to LEARN TO UNDERSTAND, TO COMPREHEND. It is a fact then that God ties salvation to learning and this learning is to bring us into a knowledge we must have:

“Let favour be shewed to the wicked, YET

WILL HE NOT LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS:

In the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly,

AND WILL NOT BEHOLD

THE MAJESTY OF THE LORD.”

(Isaiah 26:10)

The wicked to the Lord are not the same thing as we would call wicked people. The wicked of the Lord are all those WHO DID NOT LAY HOLD OF REGENERATION, OFFERED THROUGH HIS SON. Righteousness in many cases is a code word for AGAPE LOVE. The “many” were sent away as “wicked” servants, they did not come to a knowledge of AGAPE LOVE. They will never behold the DIVINE LOVE OF GOD. The word “learn” here is ‘lamad’ which means TO GOAD ON, TO DILIGENTLY SEARCH, TO BECOME EXPERT.

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he (Jesus) entered

into a certain village: and a certain woman name Martha received him into her

house.

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and

HEARD HIS WORD.

But Martha was CUMBERED ABOUT MUCH SERVING, AND CAME TO HIM,

AND SAID, LORD, DOST THOU NOT CARE THAT MY SISTER HATH LEFT ME

TO SERVE ALONE?

BID HER THEREFORE TO HELP ME.

And Jesus answered and said unto her, MARTHA, MARTHA,

THOU ART CAREFUL AND TROUBLED ABOUT MANY THINGS:

BUT ONE THING IS NEEDFUL:

AND MARY HATH CHOSEN THAT GOOD PART,

WHICH SHALL NOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HER.”

(Luke 10:38-42)

Martha was concerned about many worldly things. She was a very careful, thoughtful woman. She was not lazy but instead a dedicated woman. Jesus said her PRIORITIES were all messed up. They were wrong. Instead of fussing over minor worldly concerns, she was to SIT AT HIS FEET AS DID MARY. She needed to “leave the world” and get wisdom and understanding that would save her soul. The word “needful” is ‘chreia’, which means A REQUIREMENT, A DEMAND, A COMMAND, A DESTITUTION, A LACK, A WANT THAT NEEDS TO BE FILLED. Martha, by worldly standards, was a good, upright woman. Her works and her RELATIVE RIGHTEOUSNESS was not going to help her in the end. All of that would be taken away. But unto Mary, her wisdom and knowledge, found by HEARING THE MASTER’S WORDS, would never be taken away.

Mary dropped everything and sat at the feet of Jesus. She heard every word with keen interest. She left the cares of this world behind, and in spite of the anger it caused within her immediate family, she refused to be MOVED FROM HER OBJECTIVE; WHICH WAS TO LEARN FROM CHRIST. Martha could get as mad as she wanted, she could fuss and fume and carry on, but Mary was not moved by any of it. SHE PERSISTED IN HER STUDY. Did Jesus rebuke Mary for her intent interest? Did Jesus rebuke her for putting all of the work upon Martha? NO. He not only did not rebuke her, He STEADFASTLY DEFENDED WHAT SHE WAS DOING. There is not one word of REBUKE TO MARY. Instead, He rebukes MARTHA!

There is a very deep lesson here in the selection of PRIORITIES, and the bottom line here in all of this is the MASSIVE REALIGNMENT OF PRIORITIES THAT IS NECESSARY IN FINDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD. If we will not make this rearrangement, WE WILL NOT FIND IT. This is why Jesus said for us to STRIVE just to ENTER THE GATE, let alone walk the narrow way.

It is evident then, that a STIRRING UP OF THE SLUMBERING AND DELUDED SOUL IS A REQUIREMENT. We must then STIR OURSELVES UP and remove ourselves FROM THE DECEPTION AND DELUSION AND BRING US INTO SALVATION. Why would all of this be necessary? And what does Jesus mean when He says we must place this SEARCH FOR AGAPE LOVE AS A TOP PRIORITY? Just how much a TOP PRIORITY IS IT, AND WHAT WILL IT COST US TO DO AS HE DEMANDS?

THE PRIORITY OF THE CALL

Scripture proves that the priority of the call of Jesus Christ is above EVERYTHING ELSE IN LIFE. It is above family, wives, husbands, children, employment, country, and life itself. THIS PRIORITY CALL IS SEVERE INDEED, and that is one of the reasons why the “many” were rejected, THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND OR BELIEVE THAT JESUS MEANT EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID. If you do not adhere to this demand, YOUR RELIGION, YOUR WORKS, YOUR LIFE WILL BE IN VAIN.

“If any man COME TO ME, and HATE NOT HIS FATHER,

AND MOTHER, AND WIFE,

AND CHILDREN, AND BRETHREN AND SISTERS, YEA,

AND HIS OWN LIFE ALSO,

HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.”

(Luke 14:26)

This is a very severe call. The word “hate” is ‘miseo’ and it means TO LOVE LESS, OR TO DETEST IN RELATIONSHIP OF ONE THING TO ANOTHER. In other words, Jesus is telling you that UNLESS AND UNTIL YOU ARE WILLING TO PLACE THE SEARCH FOR HIM AND THE TRUTH HE HOLDS ABOVE AND BEYOND ALL OTHERS, YOU CANNOT BE HIS DISCIPLE.

This call is above ALL FAMILY, ALL SPOUSES, and EVEN YOUR OWN LIFE. You cannot spiritualize this away. Jesus said what He said. He said it in many ways and terms so that no one can misinterpret what He said. ALL EARTHLY TIES MUST TAKE A SECOND PLACE TO THIS SEARCH. And please note what Jesus said and how He worded it, because it VERIFIES THE NARROW WAY TOTALLY. He said: “IF ANY MAN COME TO ME.” You will remember that Jesus said you could search the Scripture daily and STILL NOT COME TO HIM. This call then is TO GET TO CHRIST, TO GET TO UNION, TO GET TO REGENERATION. It is IN THE COMING TO CHRIST THAT THIS CALL IS MADE.

This is totally confirmed because He said we could search the Scriptures all we wanted, BUT UNLESS AND UNTIL WE CAME TO HIM, IT WOULD NOT DO US ANY GOOD. As Christ is the holder of agape love, which is LIFE, then it all comes together in undeniable harmony. This is a call to come to Christ or die trying. IT IS IMPERATIVE YOU UNDERSTAND THIS

IS A COMMAND.

It is not optional. It is not something you decide to take or leave. IT IS A COMMAND THAT MUST BE OBEYED OR YOU WILL NEVER SEE HEAVEN. He said that unless this attitude was developed, unless a soul stirred itself up in a MIGHTY WAY, AND KEPT BEING STIRRED UP, YOU COULD NOT BE HIS DISCIPLE. The word “cannot” is ‘ouk’ or ‘ouch’ and it means NAY, NEVER, NOT EVER, NO, NOT. Do you get the drift? This is not an optional statement, this is a direct command, and if you refuse to do it for whatever reasons you advance, YOU ARE NOT A TRUE DISCIPLE OF THE LORD. You will never FIND CHRIST, YOU WILL NEVER UNLOCK THE MYSTERY OF AGAPE LOVE. In short:

TOTAL COMMITMENT OR YOU CANNOT ENTER.

Today such a one would be called a fanatic, or obsessed. It would probably be considered a form of mental illness, if one were to do as Christ commands. That is because our society has become so soft, so apostate, that true dedication is very abnormal. Several books have appeared on the market such as TOXIC FAITH. This call of Christ would be called TOXIC. The command STILL STANDS, HOWEVER, NO MATTER WHAT WE WISH TO SAY ABOUT IT.

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace,

BUT A SWORD.

For I am come to set a man AT VARIANCE against his father,

And the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

AND A MAN’S FOES SHALL BE THEY OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.

HE THAT LOVETH FATHER OR MOTHER MORE THAN ME

IS NOT WORTHY OF ME:

AND HE THAT LOVETH SON OR DAUGHTER MORE THAN ME

IS NOT WORTHY OF ME.

AND HE THAT TAKETH UP NOT HIS CROSS,

AND FOLLOWETH AFTER ME,

IS NOT WORTHY OF ME.”

(Matthew 10:34-38)

Jesus did not come to bring peace to earth. The peace that came with the arrival of the Christ child was PEACE FROM GOD TOWARD MEN. That reconciliation was from GOD TO MAN. NOW JESUS HAS A DIFFERENT MESSAGE, ONE THIS IN REALITY OPPOSED: Because of the dedication required to FIND THE TRUTH OF AGAPE LOVE, a man will find that IT WILL CAUSE GREAT DIVISION AMONG THE FAMILY. Modern Christian theology attempts to claim that this refers only to those homes that were Jewish or some other religion that would consider Christ the enemy. Christ is also the enemy of all lukewarm apostate Christians, and that would mean great division, it extends to far more than that. In the modern Christian home, if ANYONE did as Christ herein commands, WOULD RUN INTO A WALL OF OPPOSITION. This is true because MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN. The many in reality hate the few. They hate them because their dedication and their labor show the others WHAT THEY ARE WITHOUT A WORD BEING SAID.

Jesus brought a sword, because the Word of God is a sword, and that sword WILL CALL OUT THE FEW IN SPITE OF ALL THE PROTESTS AND FITS OF RAGE THE MANY THROW TO PREVENT IT. This is a commitment issue from the conscious heart. Now we begin to understand why Jesus said we MUST STRIVE to even enter the gate. We are going to have TO AGONIZE OVER MAKING THIS DECISION. It is not going to be an easy choice, in fact, the most difficult choice you will ever make.

“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, NAY; BUT RATHER

DIVISION:

For FROM HENCEFORTH there shall be five IN ONE HOUSE DIVIDED,

three against two, and two against three.

The father shall be DIVIDED AGAINST THE SON,

AND THE SON AGAINST THE FATHER;

THE MOTHER AGAINST THE DAUGHTER,

AND THE DAUGHTER AGAINST THE MOTHER;

THE MOTHER IN LAW AGAINST THE DAUGHTER IN LAW,

AND THE DAUGHTER IN LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER IN LAW.

(Luke 12:51-53)

There is no question that Jesus MEANT WHAT HE SAID. It cannot be construed or spiritualized away. This is beginning to sound like a WHOLE HEART, WHOLE MIND, WHOLE SOUL SEARCH TO FIND THE HIDDEN TRUTH OF AGAPE LOVE. There can be nothing held back, it MUST be undertaken. If this is true, then it sounds like we must be ready TO FORSAKE EVERYTHING WE ARE, EVERYTHING WE HAVE, EVERYTHING WE WANT TO BE:

“So likewise, WHOSOEVER HE BE OF YOU THAT FORSAKETH NOT

ALL THAT HE HATH,

HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.”

(Luke 14:33)

The word “forsaketh” is ‘apotassomai’ and it means TO SAY GOOD-BY, TO RENOUNCE, TO BID FAREWELL, TO LEAVE BEHIND, TO SEND AWAY. The word “all” is ‘pas’, which means ALL, EVERYTHING, EVERY PART. The word “cannot” means NOT ABLE, IMPOSSIBLE. How does one misinterpret this? Jesus clearly states that UNLESS ONE IS WILLING TO TURN THEIR BACK UPON EVERYTHING THAT HE HAS, AND DOES SO, HE CANNOT BE HIS DISCIPLE. The many obviously did not do this, they wanted Christ, and they wanted the world. Jesus says you cannot have both, make up your mind, and make a choice. We are beginning to find out what Jesus means when He says HE COMES FIRST, ABOVE ALL THINGS. It is obvious that the “many” did not understand this aspect of the Gospel. Is this how Jesus determines our faith, if it be genuine or not? Is this what Jesus meant when He said disciples or “DISCIPLE INDEED”?

Is the disciple just the ordinary person who studies the Scripture, but is never able to come to a knowledge of the truth? Is the disciple the nominal Christian who wants Christ and heaven, but is not willing to turn his back upon the world? Is the disciple the nominal Christian who simply studies, but gives very little time and effort to it? How much time do you give to the actual study of God’s Word?

The average Christian attends Church only Sunday morning, most do not go to the evening services, and fewer still turn out for Wednesday night prayer service. We will give the benefit of the doubt, and we will say that one attends ALL SERVICES. We will say that in those three services per week, that the average time spent IN STUDY is as follows:

1. Sunday morning – 1.5 hours

2. Sunday night - .5 hours

3. Wednesday night - .5 hours

Therefore we have a total of 2.5 hours a week. We will then give the benefit of the doubt and say you spend 1.5 hours each remaining day in the Scriptures, or 7.5 hours for a total of 10 hours per week, for 52 weeks each year. That is a grand total of 520 hours of study in the Word over a year. We will say that the average person has a 16-hour waking day or a total of 5844 hours in a year. If he spends 520 hours of that year in study he has spent about 9% of his time with the Lord. Do you suppose that is why the many never made it? Do you suppose that when Jesus says this is an ALL OUT effort He means more like 80% rather than 8%, or almost 100%? What do you suppose the world ALL means? Are we not told to MEDITATE UPON THE WORD OF THE LORD ALL THE DAY LONG? Could it be there is a reason?

Does Jesus mean what He says, and are we to turn our backs upon the world in order to obtain the secret of AGAPE LOVE? This is a crucial question, because if AGAPE LOVE is so well hidden, and if God is going to test our faith, and its resolve to find the truth, and we do not become obedient to it, then we would be in the greatest of danger.

“And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good master,

what shall I do to INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE?

And Jesus said to Him, why callest thou me good? None is good, save one,

that is, God.

THOU KNOWEST THE COMMANDMENTS, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,

DO NOT KILL, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS.

HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER.

And he said, ALL THESE HAVE I KEPT FROM MY YOUTH UP.

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him,

YET LACKEST THOU ONE THING:

SELL ALL THAT THOU HAST,

AND DISTRIBUTE UNTO THE POOR,

AND THOU SHALT HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN:

AND

COME, AND FOLLOW ME.”

(Luke 18:18-23)

The rich young ruler was a leader in his community. He was an honest, sincere and dedicated man. He was respected and probably a leader in his synagogue. This man told Jesus that HE HAD KEPT THE LAW FROM HIS YOUTH UP. Jesus accepted that statement as a matter of fact, and did not in the least suggest it was not true. For all of this Jesus says: YOU LACK ONE THING. The word “lackest” is ‘leipo’ which means TO BE DESTITUTE OF, TO BE WANTING, TO BE DEVOID OF THE ITEM IN QUESTION. It means for all of his law keeping and good works, for all of his sincerity and dedication he was still DESTITUTE OF THIS ONE THING. What was it? HE HAD RELIGION, HE HAD RELATIVE RIGHTEOUSNESS, HE WAS MORALLY UPRIGHT, HE WAS ETHICAL, HE WAS HONEST.

Remember Peter? Poor Peter was only a fisherman, but Peter was ETHICAL, UPRIGHT, HONEST, SINCERE OF HEART. Peter loved the Lord, and PETER HAD LEFT EVERYTHING BEHIND TO FOLLOW JESUS. One cannot claim that PETER WAS NOT A TRUE FOLLOWER OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. One cannot claim that Peter did NOT DO WHAT JESUS REQUIRED THE RICH YOUNG RULER TO DO. Yet PETER LACKED ONE THING: AGAPE LOVE.

1. THE RULER MUST SELL EVERYTHING HE HAS

This was a DIRECT COMMAND FROM CHRIST. He did not tell the young ruler to go hire someone to take over the business while he followed Jesus. He did not suggest he put it in “trust” while he went off following Jesus. His command is direct and to the point: GO SELL EVERYTHING YOU HAVE, AND GIVE IT TO THE POOR. Is this simply another way to say LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND, PUT ME FIRST, ABOVE ALL OTHER THINGS, ABOVE LIFE ITSELF? Is Jesus trying to give us a HINT as to the actual and real dedication that is REQUIRED TO FIND AGAPE LOVE? The ruler was a LAW KEEPER. Jesus came down from heaven with a NEW COVENANT. He converted the LAW INTO AGAPE LOVE. Indeed, there was ONLY ONE THING the ruler lacked. IT WAS A NEW HEART, A HEART OF AGAPE LOVE.

In short, we could say that the young ruler LACKED JUST ONE THING: REGENERATION. HE NEEDED TO BE REGENERATED IN AGAPE LOVE. That was ALL he lacked. Jesus did not say you lack two things, or four things; he was very careful what He said: YOU LACK ONE THING. The word for “one” is ‘heis’ and it means ONLY ONE, THE ONLY THING. The word “go” is ‘hupago’ and it means TO DEPART, TO GET HENCE, TO DEPART NOW. The word “sell” is ‘poleo’ and it means TO SELL, TO BARTER, TO TRADE. He is to sell everything that he has, ALL THAT HE HAS. He is to TOTALLY REARRANGE HIS PRIORITIES. He is to LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND. This is the FIRST COMMAND OF TWO.

2. HE MUST FOLLOW JESUS

This means far more than we suspect. AFTER HAVING TURNED HIS BACK UPON THE WORLD, the young ruler is now COMMANDED TO RETURN TO CHRIST, AND FOLLOW HIM. The word “follow” is ‘akoloutheo’ and it means TO BE IN THE SAME WAY WITH, TO ACCOMPANY. What does Jesus mean, BE IN THE SAME WAY WITH? What does Jesus mean by the remark that we are TO PICK UP OUR CROSS? This was not an optional command, this is a direct imperative command, do it or else you CANNOT INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.

We should not forget the original question: WHAT MUST I DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE? The reply of Jesus is very blunt. He first of all SAYS THE RULER LACKS ONLY ONE THING TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. There is only ONE THING MISSING. We can easily prove the one thing MISSING IS AGAPE LOVE BESTOWMENT, A NEW HEART. It is the NEW HEART OF AGAPE LOVE THAT BRINGS ONE ETERNAL LIFE. The issue becomes once again, THE AGAPE LOVE ISSUE. That is why Christ reduced the COMMANDMENTS DOWN TO AGAPE LOVE.

Now to OBTAIN AGAPE LOVE, to ACTUALLY LAY HANDS UPON IT, Jesus gave two very distinct and very clear DIRECT COMMANDS: BOTH OF THEM HAD TO BE FULFILLED, OR ETERNAL LIFE, VIA AGAPE LOVE BESTOWMENT, WOULD NOT BE GRANTED.

1. GO SELL EVERYTHING YOU HAVE

2. COME, FOLLOW ME.

If you do only one of them, you will not inherit eternal life. Peter had left everything behind, and he LACKED ONLY ONE THIHG. He did not have AGAPE LOVE. He still had to do something, HE HAD TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST BEYOND CALVARY, HE DIED, HE WAS BURIED, AND HE WENT INTO THE LAND OF THE DEAD BEFORE HE WAS RESURRECTED TO A NEW LIFE. The rich young ruler had to do what Peter WOULD BE CALLED UPON TO DO; he had to leave the world behind. Then he had to follow Jesus, and Jesus went to CALVARY and beyond to the resurrection to NEW LIFE.

It cannot be denied that Jesus commanded that WE FOLLOW HIM. But what does it mean? If we relate all of this back to the STRAIT GATE, AND NARROW WAY, WE WILL BEGIN TO FIND THE ANSWER:

1. ENTER YE IN = SELL ALL THAT YOU HATH.

2. FOR NARROW IS THE WAY = AND COME, FOLLOW ME.

3. THAT LEADEST UNTO LIFE = DEATH AND RESURRECTION IN AGAPE LOVE, A NEW LIFE.

4. FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT = HE WAS VERY SORROWFUL.

Do you see the harmony of it all? The command to enter the strait gate must be, has to be, the DECISION TO LEAVE THE ENTIRE WORLD BEHIND, PROPERTY, POSSESSIONS, LOVED ONES, THE WHOLE WORLD, AND FOLLOW JESUS. It is then THE DEGREE OF COMMITMENT THAT DETERMINES WHETHER WE FIND ETERNAL LIFE OR NOT. Will one make the REQUIRED COMMITMENT? Will one ACTUALLY DO IT? It is one thing to say that you would if Christ commanded you to. Could it be that He did and He is waiting for you to comply?

There is much more here than meets the eye. The call of Christ is SEVERE INDEED. IT PUTS YOU TO THE TEST. HE IS SAYING PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS. HE IS SAYING PROVE IT. Is this why Christ commanded us to STRIVE to enter in? Is this decision to follow SO VERY DIFFICULT THAT IT LITERALLY IS AGONIZING TO COME TO A DECISION? That to separate ourselves from the world, and ALL THAT IS IN IT, is a decision that ONLY A FEW WILL MAKE? And do not forget that this decision IS ONLY THE FIRST COMMAND. THIS IS SIMPLY TO ENTER IN TO THE NARROW WAY.

Everyone wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to die. Everyone wants Jesus, but few will leave the world long enough to FIND HIM. To confirm that Jesus did in fact mean EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID, SO THAT NO ONE COULD MISTAKE WHAT HE SAID, He repeated Himself elsewhere, and it ties together to form a harmony of intent:

“NO MAN CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS:

FOR EITHER HE WILL HATE THE ONE,

AND LOVE THE OTHER; OR ELSE HE WILL HOLD TO THE ONE,

AND DESPISE THE OTHER.

YE CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAMMON.

Therefore (BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SERVE BOTH MAMMON AND GOD),

I say unto you, TAKE NO THOUGHT FOR YOUR LIFE,

WHAT YE SHALL EAT, OR WHAT YE SHALL DRINK;

NOR YET FOR YOUR BODY, WHAT YE SHALL PUT ON.

IS NOT THE LIFE MORE THAN MEAT, AND THE BODY THAN RAIMENT?

BEHOLD THE FOWLS OF THE AIR: FOR THEY SOW NOT, NEITHER DO THEY

REAP,

NOR GATHER INTO BARNS;

YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDETH THEM.

ARE YE NOT MUCH BETTER THAN THEY?

(Matthew 6:24-26)

Please read very carefully what Christ commanded IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT, A SERMON OF HOW TO GET SAVED. He says you cannot serve both GOD AND MAMMON. The word “cannot” means YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO DO IT. You will either serve one, or you will serve the other. The call of God is such an urgent call that the world and the spirit of mammon that controls it has to be left behind. The word “mammon” is ‘mammonas’ and it means CONFIDENCE IN MONEY, A SPIRIT OF WEALTH. It is the spirit behind the LOVE OF MONEY. Jesus is bluntly saying here that WE CANNOT SERVE THE CONCEPT OF CAREERS AND RICHES AND SERVE THAT AND SERVE GOD ALSO. WE HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE. We must decide WHICH WE WANT MORE.

This is confirmed by the rich young ruler. He had within his heart the SPIRIT OF MAMMON, AN EVIL SPIRIT, AN UNRIGHTEOUS SPIRIT. Jesus even referred to it as UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON. This spirit of mammon drives the world, and drives Babylon to utter ruin. This is a warning that all Christians ought to take heed of. Jesus then declares very bluntly, so that no one could misinterpret Him, that WE ARE TO LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND, AND TRUST GOD TO PROVIDE FOR US WHILE WE WALK THE NARROW WAY. HE SAYS THAT WE ARE NOT TO TAKE ANY THOUGHT ABOUT FOOD, CLOTHING, CAREER, AND SHELTER. God will provide it all. He does not say how or where, He only says GOD WILL SEE TO IT THAT YOU WILL HAVE THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF LIFE.

So Jesus gives us a confirmation that He means exactly what He says. He says to LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND, FOLLOW HIM THROUGH CALVARY AND BEYOND, AND THAT GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS. God does not tell us how. He does tell us what He will do to accomplish it, or who He will use. He only says HE WILL. How many would trust that? Would you? Do you think God is as good as His word? Now we have come to another reason why the vast majority of Christians did not enter heaven: THEY WOULD NOT TRUST GOD, THEY WOULD NOT LEAVE THE WORLD. They wanted heaven, Christ, prosperity and all of the good things of life. Jesus categorically states

YOU CANNOT SERVE BOTH GOD AND MAMMON.

If you cannot serve them both, then you must make a decision. It is this decision that is so agonizing to make. I can tell you I made it, and I trusted God, and God provided everything to fill the needs. His word can be trusted.

“Therefore (BECAUSE GOD CAN AND WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU)

take NO THOUGHT, SAYING, WHAT SHALL WE EAT? OR, WHAT SHALL WE

DRINK? OR WHEREWITHAL SHALL WE BE CLOTHED?

(FOR AFTER ALL THESE THINGS DO THE GENTILES SEEK) FOR

YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWETH THAT YE HAVE NEED OF ALL THESE

THINGS.

BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD,

AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS (AGAPE LOVE);

AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.”

(Matthew 6:31-33)

Can we mistake what is being said here? GOD WILL SUPPLY YOUR EVERY NEED. YOUR EVERY REAL REQUIREMENT WILL BE MET IF YOU ARE IN TRUTH SEEKING FOR THE LORD. If you are not in truth seeking, you will starve to death. Nor does it mean that you do not work. It simply means that YOU RE-PRIORITIZE EVERYTHING OVER THE SEARCH FOR JESUS CHRIST, AND HE WILL SEE TO IT THAT YOU SURVIVE. This is not an invitation to idleness; this is an invitation to work harder than you ever worked in your life. Does Jesus mean what He says? Is that why He says we are to SEEK THE KINGDOM FIRST, ABOVE ALL OTHER THINGS? How does that fit into your personal life?

We cannot deny that Jesus said these things. We can only attempt to claim He did not mean it. But what if He did? What if AGAPE LOVE IS SO WELL HIDDEN THAT IT REQUIRES AN ALL OUT SEARCH? What if this search is so extensive and so difficult that it requires ALL OF YOUR TIME, EFFORT AND BEING? Obviously the “many” did not think Jesus meant any of this, nor the non-overcomers, nor the many who followed after the false teachers, because they most certainly read about it. If you read something such as the Sermon on the Mount, and you preach from it, then WHY WAS IT NOT OBEYED? There is only one answer: THEY ALL CLAIMED IT DID NOT APPLY TO THEM. They said, “If Jesus tells me to, I will”. “If the Lord so MOVES ME TO, then I will.”

It would appear then, from all of this, that there is a CONSIDERABLE COST INVOLVED. A cost of EVERYTHING WE HAVE, EVERYTHING WE ARE, EVERYTHING WE HOPED TO BE. The cost is high, in fact so high that Jesus said only THE FEW WERE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE.

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first,

AND COUNTETH THE COST,

WHETHER HE HAVE SUFFICIENT TO FINISH IT?

Lest haply, AFTER HE HATH LAID THE FOUNDATION,

AND IS NOT ABLE TO FINISH IT,

ALL THAT BEHOLD IT BEGIN TO MOCK HIM.

SAYING, THIS MAN BEGAN TO BUILD,

AND WAS NOT ABLE TO FINISH.”

(Luke 14:28-30)

This remark of Christ came right after He said we had to BEAR OUR CROSS. There is, therefore, according to the mind of Christ, A HEAVY COST INVOLVED, AND IF WE BE INTELLIGENT, WE HAD BETTER SIT DOWN AND COUNT THAT COST. Notice how He says that we FINISH THE FOUNDATION, BUT ARE NOT ABLE TO BUILD THE REST OF IT. This has a far deeper meaning than we suspect. THE FOUNDATION IS THE HISTORICAL CHRIST. HE IS THE OUTER COURT CHRIST. They could not, however, go on to FINISH THE TOWER ITSELF. THE COST WAS TOO GREAT. They refused the strait gate and narrow way. THEY COULD NOT DO IT. They fell away into ruin.

“Or what King, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first,

and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him

that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an

embassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

SO LIKEWISE,

WHOSOEVER HE BE OF YOU THAT FORSAKETH NOT

ALL THAT HE HATH,

HE CANNOT BY MY DISCIPLE.”

(Luke 14:31-33)

Do you suppose that all of this is simply idle chitchat from Jesus? Just a way to pass the time of day, a way to hear Himself speak? Anyone who examines the life of Christ will find out He was one of FEW WORDS. The words that He chose, He chose carefully, deliberately, for THEY WERE THE WORDS OF ALMIGHTY GOD. So then, we must say that the WORD OF GOD claims there is a COST, A HEAVY COST, AND FEW WOULD PAY THE PRICE.

How anyone could read all of this and claim that all we need to do is make a simple decision for Jesus and continue in the world is beyond imagination. One would have to be under a complete deception to not SEE THE VERY OBVIOUS CONTRAST. We are then to shift our priorities IN TOTAL, we are to LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND US, WE ARE TO ENTER IN TO THE INNER COURT AND LEAVE THE CARES OF THIS WORLD BEHIND US. If we will, God promises support and power over to you. It is part of the supernatural power of God to PULL YOU THROUGH THE NARROW WAY. You cannot do it by yourself, YOU HAVE TO TRUST GOD.

We are being told then that the WAY OF THE LORD IS NOT A HALF HEARTED WAY. It is so intense, so difficult, that we must not have extra BAGGAGE. The word strait, as you know, means NARROW BECAUSE OF OBSTACLES. It is so narrow you just barely squeeze through it, and that means THERE CAN BE NO EXTRA BAGGAGE WHATEVER. We will learn as we continue this study that indeed, the Lord strips one TOTALLY NAKED. There is then a great cost to obtain AGAPE LOVE, BUT THAT, WHEN FINALLY BESTOWED IS FREE!

“And ye shall SEEK ME, AND FIND ME,

WHEN (THE HUGE CONDITIONAL WHEN)

YE SHALL SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.”

(Jeremiah 29:13)

Here we have a total verification of what Jesus Himself said. You can seek the Lord, and you can seek to enter in, but you will not be able, for it is a conditional seeking. THE SEEKING THAT FINDS THE LORD IS A SEARCH WITH THE WHOLE HEART, WITH NOTHING HELD BACK, A TOTAL COMMITMENT. If you refuse for whatever reason you offer up, YOU WILL NOT FIND HIM. A whole heart search for the Lord is exactly that. It does not give you time for ANYTHING ELSE. The entire, whole CONSCIOUS MIND, SOUL, HEART AND WILL must be tied up in this search for the Lord. Notice that the WHOLE HEARTED SEARCH COMES BEFORE THE FINDING. The word ‘all’ means EVERY PART OF YOUR CONSCIOUS HEART.

“Blessed are they that KEEP HIS TESTIMONIES (OBEDIENCE),

AND (ALSO)

THAT SEEK HIM WITH A WHOLE HEART.”

(Psalm 119:2)

We find another reference to BEING OBEDIENT, OF KEEPING THE SAYINGS OF JESUS. That is the FIRST OF TWO REQUIREMENTS. The second requirement is that WE SEEK THE LORD WITH ALL OF OUR HEART. These are the ones who will meet the Lord, those that KISS THE SON. There is no question that the command of the Lord is to SEEK OUT THE SON OF GOD. THAT WE ARE TO SEEK OUT AND FIND HIS FACE, TO BEHOLD HIM, TO KNOW HIM, AND TO KNOW WHAT HE REQUIRES OF US. There are several words used in the following verses for the word “seek”. They are ‘darash’ which means TO MAKE INQUIRY, INQUISITION, TO QUESTION, TO REQUIRE, TO SEARCH FOR, OR SEARCH OUT, TO SEEK OUT, OR DILIGENCE. The second is ‘baqash’ which means TO STRIVE AFTER, BESEECH, DESIRE GREATLY, TO INQUIRE, TO SEARCH OUT, DILIGENT SEARCH. The next is ‘shachar’ which means TO BE UP EARLY, TO RISE EARLY IN DILIGENT SEARCH, TO SEARCH IN EARNESTNESS. All of them imply a GREAT HUNGER AND THIRST FOR THE THINGS OF GOD, A WHOLE HEARTED APPLICATION, WITH NOTHING HELD BACK, AND NOTHING TO IMPEDE.

“And they THAT KNOW THY NAME

WILL PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE:

FOR THOU, LORD,

HAST NOT FORSAKEN THEM THAT

SEEK THEE.”

(Psalm 9:10)

“The MEEK SHALL EAT AND BE SATISFIED:

THEY SHALL PRAISE THE LORD

THAT SEEK HIM:

YOUR HEART SHALL LIVE FOREVER.”

(Psalm 22:26)

“One thing have I DESIRED OF THE LORD,

THAT I WILL SEEK AFTER;

THAT I MAY DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE,

TO BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD,

AND TO INQUIRE IN HIS TEMPLE.”

(Psalm 27:4)

This verse requires comment. Modern theology denies that we may behold the Lord, but there are many verses of Scripture that prove totally we ARE TO BEHOLD HIM. The beauty of the Lord is His ESSENCE, HIS INNER BEING, HIS AGAPE LOVE. That we are not only to behold, we are to have given to us. Have you beheld the GLORY AND THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD?

“When THOU SAYEST, SEEK YE MY FACE;

MY HEART SAID UNTO THEE,

THY FACE, LORD, WILL I SEEK.”

(Psalm 27:8)

“Let all those that SEEK THEE REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN THEE:

LET SUCH AS LOVE THY SALVATION SAY CONTINUALLY,

THE LORD BE MAGNIFIED.”

(Psalm 40:16)

“O GOD, THOU ART MY GOD;

EARLY WILL I SEEK THEE:

MY SOUL THIRSTETH FOR THEE,

MY FLESH LONGETH FOR THEE IN A DRY AND THIRSTY LAND,

WHERE NO WATER IS.”

(Psalm 63:1)

The term early means that we rise up and give diligent search. Notice that the soul is in a state of THIRST, FOR IT IS A DRY AND THIRSTY LAND, IN WHICH THERE IS NO WATER. It is a reference to planet earth, and those that dwell upon it. One of the many code words for AGAPE LOVE IS WATER. There is no agape love on the earth; it is a dry and thirsty land.

“The HUMBLE SHALL SEE THIS,

AND BE GLAD:

AND YOUR HEART SHALL LIVE

THAT SEEK GOD.”

(Psalm 69:32)

“Glory ye in his holy name:

LET THE HEART OF THEM REJOICE

THAT SEEK THE LORD.

SEEK THE LORD, AND HIS STRENGTH:

SEEK HIS FACE EVERMORE.”

(Psalm 105:3-4)

“Blessed are they that KEEP HIS TESTIMONIES,

AND THAT SEEK HIM WITH THE WHOLE HEART.”

(Psalm 119:2)

“And I will WALK AT LIBERTY:

FOR I SEEK THY PRECEPTS.”

(Psalm 119:45)

Do you remember when Christ made the comment that if we would CONTINUE in His word (doctrine) that we would be set free? This is the companion verse to that. If we find the truth of AGAPE LOVE, AND ACCEPT IT, AND HAVE IT BESTOWED UPON US, we are then FREE, AND WE WALK IN LIBERTY. But notice who will walk in liberty? ONLY THOSE WHO SEEK.

“SALVATION IS FAR FROM THE WICKED:

FOR THEY SEEK NOT THY STATUTES.”

(Psalm 119:155)

This is what I call a NEGATIVE CONFIRMATION VERSE. It states plainly that those WHO REFUSE TO SEEK AFTER THE LORD, WILL NOT BE SAVED. Remember that the “many” are sent away as those that do iniquity or evil. They are classified as WICKED PEOPLE by the Lord. It is not a reference to their moral or ethical behavior; it is a reference to their lack of REGENERATION IN AGAPE LOVE.

“Therefore came I FORTH TO MEET THEE,

DILIGENTLY TO SEEK THY FACE,

AND I HAVE FOUND THEE.”

(Proverbs 7:15)

You will find many references in which the Lord states that those that SEEK THE LORD SHALL ALSO FIND THE LORD. In other words, there is a POSITIVE EVIDENCE AND A PROOF THAT YOU HAVE FOUND THE LORD. It is not FAITH. It is not BELIEF. It has nothing to do with FAITH OR BELIEF. The many had great faith and great belief. The believers had faith and belief, were even baptized in the Holy Spirit and yet IF THEY HAD NOT AGAPE LOVE, it would profit them nothing. THERE IS AN EVIDENCE, A PROOF.