DARK LIGHT SERIES

TEN

FOR NARROW IS THE WAY

ON THE CROSS WITH JESUS

“AND WHEN HE (THE HOLY SPIRIT) IS COME,

HE WILL REPROVE THE WORLD

OF SIN, AND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND OF JUDGMENT.”

(John 16:8)

“Because STRAIT IS THE GATE,

AND NARROW IS THE WAY,

which LEADETH UNTO LIFE,

AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.”

(Matthew 7:14)

We have agonized over the decision to follow Jesus, and have made a whole heart decision that we shall do it, no matter what the cost. We have in obedience SHIFTED OUR PRIORITIES and we have made the search for THE TRUTH our first priority. We have determined in our hearts that whatsoever God requires us to do personally, we will do it. But what are we to do? What is the narrow way? Does the Bible define it? How long does it take? Why do we need patience?

We have now picked up the cross of Christ, we have left the outer court behind, and we now enter through the veil and find ourselves in the INNER COURT. We notice immediately the only light source is the seven lamps that burn with the Holy Spirit. We have now left the sense man, soul man, and we are on a journey in the inner realms of the spirit. We notice the walls of the inner court are of solid gold plate, and they shine in the glow of the 7 lamps. We are reminded that THE TRIAL OF OUR FAITH HAS NOW BEGUN. We are resolute. We have determined that WE WILL FIND THE FACE OF CHRIST OR PERISH TRYING. We must now taste the bitter taste of the NARROW WAY.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE NARROW WAY

God never does anything without a very clear objective in mind. It helps us to understand what God is doing, but it helps more if we can understand WHY HE IS DOING IT. We will be studying these objectives, and how they are accomplished, in this chapter.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

1. TO DIE THE DEATH ON THE CROSS WITH CHRIST.

This is the PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE NARROW WAY. It is to die the death so that God’s AGAPE love can replace the SELF CENTERED phileo loves within your heart. You must be readjusted back to the AGAPE LOVE STANDARD OF GOD.

2. TO REVEAL TO THE BELIEVER THE TRUE DESTITUTION OF THE INNER MAN.

This is a secondary objective, which is one of UNMASKING THE ANTICHRIST SPIRIT WITHIN the hidden inner heart. The narrow way is a way of REVELATION of the evil, of the darkness, of the selfishness of the human spirit. It is an unmasking of the true nature of the soul.

3. IT IS A FORM OF THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT.

The narrow way is God’s way of applying the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT to the believer while yet alive upon planet earth. The believer obtains his judgment now, while alive, so that Christ can come and save that soul for eternity future. Those that refuse to undergo this judgment must wait in the future, after death, where they remain alone, for Christ cannot come and help them at that point.

4. IT IS THE WAY OF TRUE REPENTANCE.

The narrow way is the way of TRUE BIBLICAL REPENTANCE. Biblical repentance concerns itself with the ONE primary sin of man: HIS UTTER INABILITY TO LOVE AS GOD COMMANDS. The soul must be brought down to the point of death so that IT WILL ADMIT THE REAL TRUTH BEFORE GOD, AND IN HIS SIGHT. The sight of God is AGAPE LOVE. The believer then is to be brought TO A POINT where the REAL TRUTH CAN BE ADMITTED FROM THE INNER MAN, the ANTICHRIST SPIRIT WITHIN. God forces that ADMISSION in order to gain access to the Holy of Holies of that soul.

The narrow way is OUR RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF GOD. It is here that Christ focused all of His attention when He spoke of being OBEDIENT. It was here that Christ said that if WE WERE NOT OBEDIENT, AND WOULD NOT KEEP HIS SAYINGS, AND WE WOULD NOT ENTER THE STRAIT GATE AND WALK THE NARROW WAY, THAT WE WERE FOOLISH PEOPLE WHO BUILT OUR HOUSE OF FAITH UPON THE SAND.

There is a faith that is a faith IN. it is the faith of modern Christianity. It is not a SAVING faith whatsoever. It has nothing to do with Biblical SAVING faith. It is a satanic counterfeit to REAL FAITH, designed to fool people into eternal ruin. The Scripture speaks of two types of faith: FAITH IN CHRIST, AND THE FAITH OF CHRIST. The two are a strait gate and narrow way apart. The many had a faith IN CHRIST. Faith IN Christ does not save anyone. The reason it cannot save anyone is that FAITH IN CHRIST IS A FAITH IN THE HISTORICAL CHRIST, A FAITH IN THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR FAITH. It is AN INACTIVE TYPE OF FAITH. It is a mental or CONSCIOUS FAITH. It is a “decision” type of faith, an “acceptance” type of belief/faith. There is nothing wrong with it; in fact it is totally necessary. BUT IT IS ONLY PHASE ONE OF FAITH. You must go on to develop SAVING FAITH.

Remember when Jesus said that we search the Scriptures daily, for in them we think we will find eternal life? Then He said they were only a TESTIMONY OF HIM, BUT THEY WERE NOT HIM? Then added that no one would come to Him for life? One of the aspects to this is the differences in FAITH. When a person reads and accepts the Scriptures for what they say and are, they are DEMONSTRATING FAITH IN CHRIST. FAITH IN CHRIST IS A SENSE MAN, SOUL MAN FAITH. It is a type of SIMPLE ACCEPTANCE FAITH. It is an ARMCHAIR FAITH. It is a type of faith that sits in the chair, or on the couch, or in a church pew that says “AMEN, BROTHER, I BELIEVE THAT”. It is FAITH IN CHRIST THAT LEADS THE SOUL TO CONVERSION. It is this type of faith that brings the soul to make a DECISION FOR CHRIST. James said of this type of faith and belief:

“Thou believest that there is ONE GOD; thou doest well:

the DEVILS ALSO BELIEVE, AND TREMBLE.”

(James 2:19)

You may BELIEVE all you want there is ONE GOD. You may believe all you want that Christ is the Son of God. You may believe all you want that Christ died upon the cross to save you. You may BELIEVE ALL YOU WANT IN THE PROMISES OF THE BIBLE. You do well, BUT SATAN AND HIS DEMONS ALSO BELIEVE, AND THEY TREMBLE. The words faith and belief are with rare exception INTERCHANGEABLE. We will study this later. The point being that THIS TYPE OF FAITH/BELIEF IS NOT THE FAITH AND BELIEF THAT SAVES THE SOUL.

“But wilt thou KNOW, O VAIN MAN,

THAT FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS

DEAD?”

(James 2:20)

The FAITH OF CHRIST is wholly different. The FAITH OF CHRIST is an ACTION, DOING FAITH. Christ set His face as FLINT. He set it, He did as He was commanded, He was OBEDIENT IN THE DOING. He had a faith IN God, but He also had a faith that’s strong enough to BECOME A DOER OF THE WORD, AND NOT A HEARER ONLY. TRUE BIBLICAL FAITH IS A FAITH THAT BRINGS WITH IT OBEDIENCE TO DO AS GOD COMMANDS. It has a little to do with ACCEPTANCE OF SCRIPTURES IN THAT SENSE OF THE WORD. It has to do with STIRRING THE SOUL UP AND LITERALLY DOING WHAT GOD COMMANDED BE DONE. It is a faith, a belief, that PROMPTS ONE TO ACTION. It is a whole conscious and deep faith that ABIDES, CONTINUES, REMAINS, AND IS STEADFAST. It is the faith that allows you to set your face as FLINT, and never flinch, never look back.

“For the LORD GOD WILL HELP ME (FAITH IN GOD);

therefore shall I not be confounded:

THEREFORE HAVE I SET MY FACE LIKE A FLINT

(THE FAITH OF CHRIST)

AND I KNOW THAT I SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED.”

(Isaiah 50:7)

It might surprise you that God gave everyone of us the same amount of faith. We are all born with SUFFICIENT FAITH TO WALK THE NARROW WAY. Faith, however, is like a muscle, it has to be USED, IT HAS TO BE DEVELOPED OVER TIME. If you saw the Indiana Jones movie called the LAST CRUSADE, there was a scene in which Indiana had to BY FAITH ALONE, STEP OUT OFF A ROCK LEDGE. As soon as he did, a very NARROW WAY or BRIDGE APPEARED TO CARRY HIM OVER THE GIGANTIC GULF, THE GIGANTIC DEEP THAT SEPARATED HIM FROM THE GRAIL. It was a very poor portrayal of faith in some ways, but it demonstrates how FAITH ACTUALLY WORKS. God WILL NOT, AND DOES NOT MOVE UNTIL YOU MOVE. You must MOVE FIRST.

Indiana Jones stood on the ledge and looked at the gigantic deep and gulf that separated Him from the Grail. Standing on the ledge is the equivalent of BELIEVING IN JESUS. You must come to the BREACH BEFORE YOU CAN STEP ACROSS IT. Indiana closed his eyes, and in FAITH STEPS OUT. AS SOON AS HE MOVED, THE NARROW WAY APPEARED. The narrow way is waiting for you. It is invisible, beyond the veil of the inner court. YOU MUST STEP OUT IN FAITH THAT IF YOU WALK IT, YOU WILL BE SUPPORTED AND BROUGHT OVER THE GULF AND INTO THE ARMS OF JESUS. However, this type of faith is NOT INSTANT. It is a deep, abiding faith, that as you SEARCH FOR GOD AND CHRIST, that they will respond to you.

PICK UP THY CROSS AND FOLLOW ME

Jesus demanded that we pick up our crosses and follow Him. Modern Christian holiness doctrine within the more fundamental movements teaches that this means SELF DENIAL, OR DENIAL OF SELF. This is further defined as the denial of our selves in order to do the work of Christ on earth, as well as Holy living. In short, it means GOOD WORKS. It is a reference to HOLY LIVES, CHRISTIAN MISSIONS, WORKS, TO PRESENT YOURSELF AS A LIVING SACRIFICE, WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE. The narrow way does not concern itself with any of this. It is not the point of the narrow way. It has nothing to do with what normally is called HOLINESS, OR A HOLINESS WALK. IT IS A WALK OF TOTAL JUDGMENT.

The fundamentalist concepts of a holy walk before the Lord is a walk in which all known sin is put away, and the soul walks a holy walk before the Lord. This deals with surface or conscious sin in the life. It is not the point of the narrow way. It is not that Jesus does not demand Holiness. He must assuredly does, and it is a command. It is a holiness in thought, word and deed. But all of that COMES AFTER THE NARROW WAY OF DEATH AND RESURRECTION IN AGAPE LOVE. The narrow way does not deal whatsoever with the surface sins of the soul, for the unregenerate soul can do nothing but sin in the first place. Even if by sheer willpower and force a person were to clean up their act, and GET HOLY BEFORE THE LORD, they would still be sent away into damnation, FOR THEY HAVE NOT SETTLED THE ROOT ISSUE, THE AGAPE LOVE ISSUE.

The cleaning up of surface sins does not do anything to solve the problem of the INNER HEART. It is the INNER HEART AGAPE LOVE ISSUE THAT MUST BE SOLVED, NOT A MULTITUDE OF SINS. That is why John the Baptist said the AX WAS GOING TO BE LAID UPON THE ROOTS. The narrow way is God’s method of laying the ax to the roots. THE NARROW WAY BYPASSES SINS (PLURAL) AND GOES FOR THE REASON FOR SINS. As usual modern Christian denominations put the cart before the horse, and attempt to clean up their multitude of sins, WHILE TOTALLY IGNORING THE REASON FOR IT ALL. That is why they stand before the Lord utterly rejected.

THE PRIMARY ISSUE WAS NEVER SETTLED.

God is not going to fool around with secondary issues, which in this case are the multitude of sins in the lives of His people. He will deal with this issue LATER, AFTER THE FIRST ISSUE OF AGAPE LOVE IS RESOLVED. After that is taken care of, God deals with the multitude of sins in the life, and PURGES THE BELIEVER FROM THEM. This is where the holiness doctrine comes into play. Then the believer begins to realize what God means by HOLINESS.

THE NARROW WAY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A HOLINESS WALK. The narrow way deals in death. The CROSS WAS AN INSTRUMENT OF DEATH. The word for “cross” is ‘stauros’, which means STAKE, POLE, CROSS, INSTRUMENT OF DEATH, EXPOSURE TO DEATH, UNION WITH. The soul must be exposed to its own death; it must undergo a complete death while it is still very much alive. It is supernatural, but quite real, quite literal in what it does, for it exposes the conscious mind, heart and soul to the truth of its separateness from its Creator. The knowledge will come from deep within, and that knowledge is the knowledge of DEATH. The ‘way’ of Jesus is the only way God has to BREAK THE HUMAN SOUL AND SPIRIT.

“And he that taketh NOT HIS CROSS,

AND FOLLOWETH AFTER ME,

IS NOT WORTHY OF ME.

He that FINDETH HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT:

AND HE THAT LOSETH HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE

SHALL FIND IT.”

(Matthew 10:38-39)

Jesus is very blunt. If you DO NOT TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW JESUS INTO DEATH, YOU ARE NOT WORTHY OF HIM, AND YOU WILL LOSE THE LIFE YOU NOW HAVE. It is important that you notice that Jesus LINKS TOGETHER THE CROSS AND DEATH. There are several commands here: take up the cross, and FOLLOW HIM. We have said the cross of Christ was at Calvary. We begin AT CALVARY.

The word “taketh” is ‘lambano’ and it means TO GET A HOLD OF. The word “followeth” is ‘akoloutheo’ and it means TO BE IN THE SAME WAY WITH, OR TO ACCOMPANY ONE, TO BE WITH ONE, TO BE A PARTAKER. This is an ACTION COMMAND, A DOING COMMAND. This is where the FAITH OF CHRIST comes into play. This is where we separate FAITH IN CHRIST AND ADD FAITH OF CHRIST. If you refuse to do it, Jesus says you are not worthy. We know what worthy means, DESERVING OR SUITABLE.

Christ died on the cross of Calvary. If we are to follow Him on our own cross, then we too must die with Him at Calvary. One cannot misinterpret these words that are blunt, very clear, very direct. The taking up of the cross will lead directly to THE BELIEVER LOSING HIS LIFE. What does Jesus mean, LOSE YOUR LIFE? Is this a literal death? The word “life” here is ‘psuche’ and it means SPIRIT, BREATH, SOUL. In short, SOUL DEATH, SPIRIT DEATH. Remember the Word of God is sharper than any two edged sword, diving asunder the SOUL AND SPIRIT? The cross is the instrument God uses to accomplish this.

Your spirit is dead to God, but alive to Satan. It must be BROUGHT DOWN TO THE DEATH, SO IT CAN BE RESURRECTED TO A NEW LIFE. It works this way:

THE CROSS = THE NARROW WAY

The narrow way IS THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST. When you walk it, you are undergoing a soul death, for the spirit and soul are tied together and under the dominion of Satan. All of that has to die; it must be PUT TO DEATH. It is not something that YOU CAN DO BY YOURSELF; IT IS SUPERNATURAL, DONE BY THE POWER OF GOD. You do not set out to die. Your part of this is to SEARCH for the TRUTH BEHIND IT ALL. God’s part is to BRING YOU DOWN TO DIE. It is very literal, very experiential, and FAITH is the dynamic that keeps you going when the going gets rough. That is why they had to EXHORT THE DISCIPLES TO CONTINUE IN THE FAITH. It is a lengthy process.

Was Jesus kidding, or was He speaking symbolically in some way? No, He was not kidding one bit. Your spirit and inner heart are WHOLLY ALIVE UNTO SATAN AND THIS WORLD. You run your life from your Holy of Holies, where you reign in regal splendor, dressed in the robes of Solomon. The only Shekinah glory in your Holy of Holies is your own. You float above your own mercy seat, excusing or accusing your deeds daily. THIS INNER SPIRIT SOURCE IS GOING TO DIE. THE SELF UPON THE THRONE IS GOING TO DIE.

The reason it has to die is quite simple. NATURAL HUMAN LOVE, PHILEO LOVE IS VERY CONDITIONAL. It is a love that manipulates to get its own way. It is a type of love that FLOWS INWARD, NOT OUTWARD. It sends out signals of love only to be loved in return. If it is not loved in return, the self becomes angry, incensed at this spurned advance. CONDITIONAL LOVE IS THE LOVE OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS. CONDITIONAL LOVE ALWAYS FLOWS INWARD.

Agape love, on the other hand, is the DIRECT OPPOSITE. IT IS WHOLLY UNCONDITIONAL, AND LOVES FOR LOVE’S SAKE. It is not manipulative, and it seeks only the good of others, and never its own good. It forgives all matter of offense, and it continually looks for the good and the positive, never the negative. When we draw AGAPE LOVE, WE DRAW IT WITH THE ARROWS POINTING OUTWARD. It flows OUTWARD FROM THE SOURCE, NEVER INWARD. It then is the EXACT OPPOSITE OF ALL HUMAN LOVES.

Two opposites CANNOT RESIDE SIDE BY SIDE. They are mutually exclusive of each other. ONE HAS TO BE EXTERMINATED, UTTERLY DESTROYED. If Christ is going TO COME TO THE BELIEVER, AND TAKE HIS RIGHTFUL PLACE UPON THE HOLY OF HOLIES, GUESS WHO HAS TO LOSE HIS/HER LIFE? You got it – YOU! Jesus used the word “lose” which is ‘appollumi’ which means TO DESTROY FULLY, TO PERISH, TO DIE UTTERLY. It means to be FULLY EXTINGUISHED. Jesus was not fooling when He said YOU MUST LOSE YOUR LIFE. If you do it FOR HIS SAKE, ON HIS ACCOUNT, YOU WILL FIND ANOTHER LIFE, A SUPERIOR LIFE:

AGAPE LOVE LIFE.

The word “find” is ‘heurisko’ and it means FIND, GET, OBTAIN, SEE. How could you ever know you had found it unless there was EVIDENCE? We will get to that. And so you see the Scriptures are always in TOTAL HARMONY, and they demand the DEATH OF THE SOUL, THE DEATH OF THE SPIRIT OF THE SELF. It is not SELF DENIAL IN THE WAY YOU AND I WOULD THINK OF IT. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT SORT OF SELF DENIAL, WHICH IS IN REALITY A FORM OF WORKS. It has nothing to do with going out and doing good works, and sacrificing all of your time, money, goods and doing great works for God. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HOLINESS.

This is a VERY REAL, LITERAL, EXPERIENTIAL DEATH THAT YOU WILL GO THROUGH WHILE YOU ARE FULLY ALIVE! You do not walk this death by an act of faith. You do not obtain this death by EMBRACING IT BY AN ACT OF FAITH. You do not obtain this by believing you have died with Christ. You obtain this death by LITERALLY WALKING THE NARROW WAY AND ALLOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BRING YOU DOWN TO FULL AND TOTAL, AND COMPLETE AND EXPERIENTIAL SOUL DEATH. The false prophets that have completely overrun Christianity deny all of this with utter vehemence. They spew out tacks and rank accusations when it is suggested there is more to Christ than simply embracing a few promises of the Bible.

THEY WILL HAVE AN ETERNITY IN HELLFIRE TO REGRET IT. THEY HAVE COUNTED THEIR OWN SOULS UNWORTHY OF CHRIST! DON’T YOU DO THE SAME?

To be sure that Christ was not fooling here, and that He means exactly what He says, we will examine every command He made to pick up the cross, and He relates it to the DEATH OF THE SOUL/SPIRIT.

“Then said Jesus unto HIS DISCIPLES,

IF ANY MAN WILL COME AFTER ME,

LET HIM DENY HIMSELF,

AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS, AND

FOLLOW ME.

For whosoever will SAVE HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT;

and WHOSOEVER WILL

LOSE HIS LIFE

FOR MY SAKE, SHALL FIND IT.”

(Matthew 16:24-25)

Do you think He was kidding? The word “deny” is ‘aparneomai’ and it means TO DENY UTTERLY, TO DISOWN, TO ABSTAIN, TO RENOUNCE FULLY. Look at the sequence of this verse: it shows you the STRAIT GATE, THE NARROW WAY, THE DEATH OF THE SOUL, AND GRANTING OF NEW LIFE. It is a perfect parallel to Matthew Seven, the SERMON ON HOW TO GET SAVED.

1. DENY YOURSELF = GO SELL EVERYTHING YOU HAVE = ENTER THE STRAIT GATE.

2. TAKE UP THE CROSS = ENTER THE STRAIT GATE, DO IT.

3. FOLLOW ME = WALK THE NARROW WAY

4. LOSE YOUR LIFE = FOLLOW ME INTO DEATH

5. FIND A NEW LIFE = LEADETH UNTO ‘LIFE’ OR AGAPE LOVE GRANTED.

The sequence is perfect; there is total harmony in everything Christ says. There ought to be, HE GOT IT DIRECT FROM GOD THE FATHER, AND GOD THE FATHER KNOWS WHAT HE IS ABOUT. There is no mistake here at all. DO WE KEEP THE SAYINGS OF JESUS AND BUILD OUR HOUSE ON A ROCK, OR DO WE MAKE UP SOME FOOLISH THEOLOGY AND BUILD OUR HOUSE ON THE SAND? The choice is yours, the WAY OF THE TRUTH HAS BEEN SET BEFORE YOU.

“And when he had called THE PEOPLE UNTO HIM

WITH HIS DISCIPLES ALSO,

HE SAID UNTO THEM,

WHOSOEVER WILL COME AFTER ME,

LET HIM DENY HIMSELF,

AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS,

AND FOLLOW ME.

For whosoever will save HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT;

BUT WHOSOEVER SHALL

LOSE HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE

AND THE GOSPEL’S,

THE SAME SHALL SAVE IT.”

(Mark 8:34-35)

We have some additions here we must take note of. There are those that claim that all of this sort of thing is only for DISCIPLES, and not just the ordinary believer. In other words, only those who are really going in to full time service have to follow all of this, not the general everyday person who believes. WRONG. JESUS CALLED ALL THE PEOPLE, INCLUDING HIS DISCIPLES AND HE TOLD THEM ALL THAT WHOSOEVER OF THEM WAS GOING TO FOLLOW AFTER HIM HAD TO DENY HIMSELF AND DO IT. The word “lose” is ‘apollumi’ which means TO DESTROY FULLY, TO UTTER RUIN, TOTAL LOSS. They had to pick up their cross, they had to die on that cross, or they were not going to find NEW LIFE.

This has nothing to do with martyrdom. Paul said you could lose your life for the FAITH AND STILL END UP IN DAMNATION. Christ is not speaking of martyrdom at all. He is speaking of a very real, literal LOSS OF THE SOUL AND SPIRIT LIFE WITHIN A PERSON. EVERYONE MUST DO IT, FOR THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY: NARROW. Ignore it and you perish.

“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him,

ONE THING THOU LACKEST:

GO THY WAY, SELL WHATSOEVER THOU HAST,

AND GIVE TO THE POOR,

AND THOU SHALT HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN:

AND COME, TAKE UP THE CROSS,

AND FOLLOW ME.”

(Mark 10:21)

Again we find a confirmation of the sequence. GO SELL ALL THAT YOU HAVE = DENY YOURSELF. It is an UTTER AND COMPLETE REARRANGEMENT OF YOUR PRIORITIES, of what you value. Many people say, “Well, when God tells me to do this, then I’ll do it. I’ll pray about it, and when God answers, then I’ll move”. I have news for you. God gave you a Bible. He expects you to read it, understand it, and comply with it. He will not answer those types of prayers, nor will He move at all for them. He won’t because HE ALREADY TOLD YOU, AND YOUR DISOBEDIENCE TO AN OVERT WRITTEN COMMAND PLACES YOU IN REBELLION. He does not fool around with rebellious people, HE REJECTS THEM. You can rationalize all of this however you wish to, God said it, and it’s up to you to figure out what He means by it.

“And he said to THEM ALL,

IF ANY MAN WILL COME AFTER ME,

LET HIM DENY HIMSELF,

AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY,

AND FOLLOW ME.

FOR WHOSOEVER WILL SAVE HIS LIFE

SHALL LOSE IT:

BUT WHOSOEVER WILL LOSE HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE,

THE SAME SHALL SAVE IT.

FOR WHAT IS A MAN ADVANTAGED,

IF HE GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIMSELF,

OR BE CAST AWAY?

(Luke 9:23-25)

Here a little and there a little. Line by line, precept by precept. It all starts to come together. We know the word deny means to DISAVOW OR DENY UTTERLY. It means to turn your back ON YOUR WORLDLY PURSUITS, PICK UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW CHRIST TO SOUL DEATH. We have an additional word here we need to notice: PICK UP THY CROSS DAILY. The word daily comes from two words. The first is ‘kata’ which means INTENSITY. The second is ‘hemtra’ which means THE WHOLE DAY, 24 HOURS. In other words, Jesus is saying that the follower of Him IS TO TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM FOR THE WHOLE DAY, EVERY DAY. That is an INTENSE SEARCH. It wholly confirms EVERYTHING ELSE WE HAVE FOUND. It is in total harmony with SEARCH, SEEK, ASK, BEG, CRAVE, HUNGER, THIRST.

This is not, as most Christians think, a call to daily service with good works. This has nothing to do with good works. THIS IS THE WALK OF THE NARROW WAY, AND JESUS IS TELLING YOU THAT THIS WALK REQUIRES YOU TO FOLLOW HIM 24 HOURS A DAY. You wake up with it, you walk with it, and you lie down with it. It follows you wherever you go. To say this is not true is to deny the obvious words and commands of Christ, He said it. It is there, and you can look up the words if you do not like it. The only question we have is this: DID HE MEAN IT?

If the walk of the narrow way is so intense, and we have to spend a large part of our day involved in this search for THE TRUTH OF AGAPE LOVE, then it should begin to dawn upon us that PERHAPS THIS IS WHY CHRIST SAID WE SHOULD TAKE NO THOUGHT WHATEVER FOR TOMORROW, FOOD, CLOTHING, DRINK OR SHELTER. GOD WILL PROVIDE IT. Now the rationale is this, IF EVERYBODY DID IT, THERE WOULD BE NO JOBS, NO MONEY, NO GOVERNMENT, NO NOTHING. God knows that ONLY A FEW WILL DO IT. He knew that from the very beginning. That rationale is just that, a foolish rationale.

To prove that Christ is IN FACT REFERRING TO BUSINESS AND CAREER PURSUITS, AND THE GAINING OF WEALTH IN THIS WORLD, HE ESPECIALLY MENTIONS IT IN RELATION TO THIS SUBJECT. He says to what advantage is it for a person to PURSUE THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD, THE WEALTH OF THIS WORLD, AND LOSE HIS SOUL? Just before this, He says that it will cause great division in the home. When you add all of this together, it does paint a portrait that IS CONSISTENT IN MEANING.

How does one pursue the goods of this world? HE SPENDS HIS TIME IN BUSINESS. HE WORKS ALL DAY. HE WORKS AT NIGHT. HE WORKS WHEN HE PLAYS. He spends HIS TIME AT WORK. He plays up a business, a practice, a pursuit, a career. He goes into training, goes to school, and learns a trade. He gets good at it. He makes many contacts, and he begins to become a WEALTHY MAN. His business thrives, he makes a good profit, and he is able to enjoy the good things of life, which are THE PLEASURES OF THIS WORLD. The Christian businessman says that GOD HAS BLESSED HIM. But was it God? Satan can bless as well, TO KEEP ONE FROM THE STRAIT GATE AND NARROW WAY. So before the rich man, stands the strait gate, the narrow way. Will he leave his blessings behind, count them as naught, and find THE LIVING CHRIST?

There are many businessmen who claim that if Jesus told them to, they would sell their business tomorrow and take up the search. Jesus already told them to. He will not tell them again. The clues as to if a man WOULD IN FACT SELL HIS BUSINESS IS BASED UPON THE TIME HE WILL GIVE THE LORD. If he spends all of his time in business, and comes home tired, he will not give any time to the Lord, or only a passing nod. He is in deception; he is in a delusion. He is simply rationalizing his refusal to comply with the plain and direct commands of the Lord. He will say, “I have to, I cannot leave my business, I have to earn money for my family”. He is the rich young ruler. How hard it is for a rich man to enter into heaven.

We then have to ask if God or Christ ever contradict themselves. Jesus gave the warning in different ways to not pursue the things of this world. Here are some VERY DIRECT WARNINGS:

1. The first warning is in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:19-34)

2. His second warning is in Matthew 16:26.

3. His third warning is in Mark 8:36-37.

4. His fourth warning is in Mark 10:21-25.

5. His fifth warning is in Luke 9:25.

6. His sixth warning is in Luke 14:16-24.

7. His seventh warning is in Luke 14:25-33.

8. His eighth warning is in John 12:24-26.

9. His ninth warning is in 1 John 2:15-17.

Is it coincidence that THREE STRIKES AND YOU’RE OUT, AND THERE ARE NINE INNINGS BEFORE THE GAME IS OVER? What Jesus is getting at here IS THE TIME SPENT IN THE PURSUIT OF THE LORD. The proof of the SINCERITY OF ANY PERSON IS THE TIME OR MONEY HE SPENDS ON THAT ITEM. Where your treasure is, your heart is also. Where is your concern? Where do you spend most of your money? What takes up the vast majority of your time? If he spends all of his time in business, and virtually none in his search for THE TRUTH, then the Lord knows perfectly well this man’s religion is vanity. The call is for a total and complete rearrangement of priorities.

If on the other hand, if the man will REARRANGE TOTALLY HIS PRIORITIES, SO THAT HE CAN SPEND THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF TIME WITH THE SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH, then God counts that as proof of real FAITH. IT IS A MATTER OF PRIORITIES. The word daily shows us that Jesus expects this all day, every day, and the implication is for a long time. God said He would supply the needs of the man, and will also the man’s family. God however is AUSTERE, and He does not say He will support you in the MANNER TO WHICH YOU HAVE GROWN ACCUSTOMED.

The point being that Jesus Christ always relates the PICKING UP THE CROSS TO TWO THINGS: (1) TURNING YOUR BACK UPON THE WORLD AND (2) DYING A VERY LITERAL AND EXPERIENTIAL SOUL DEATH WHILE YOU ARE ALIVE. It sounds like a mystery. It sounds like utter foolishness. The vast majority of Christians thought it was utter foolishness, for they refused to do it. Jesus said IF YOU DO NOT, YOU CANNOT BE HIS DISCIPLE. It is not optional; it is mandatory.

FURTHER PROOF WE ARE TO DIE

“Verily, verily, I say unto you,

EXCEPT A CORN OF WHEAT

FALL INTO THE GROUND AND DIE,

IT ABIDETH ALONE:

BUT IF IT DIE, IT BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT.

He that LOVETH HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT;

AND HE THAT HATETH HIS LIFE IN THIS WORLD

SHALL KEEP IT UNTO LIFE ETERNAL.

IF ANY MAN SERVE ME,

LET HIM FOLLOW ME;

AND WHERE I AM, THERE SHALL ALSO MY SERVANT BE:

IF ANY MAN SERVE ME, HIM WILL MY FATHER HONOUR.”

(John 12:24-26)

This verse is a total confirmation of all that has gone before, and gives us even more insight as to what Jesus means when He says pick up the cross and follow Him. It confirms He means there is a death of the soul involved. When Jesus uses the term VERILY, VERILY, He is attempting to warn you of the absolute necessity of something. The word “verily” is ‘amen’ and it means FIRM, TRUSTWORTHY, SURE, OR ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE. When it is used twice, it is FOR A REASON.

“EXCEPT A CORN OF WHEAT…” The word “except” is ‘ean me’ which means UNLESS OR EXCEPT. It is a CONDITIONAL PHRASE. In other words, what ever follows MUST BE DONE. The use of the word CORN OF WHEAT is importantly singular. A SINGLE CORN OF WHEAT. Wheat is a code word for CHRISTIAN. Except that an INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN, OR UNLESS AN INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN. And notice what part of the wheat it is: THE CORN, THE KERNEL, THE SEED, THE CENTER OF, THE SOURCE OF LIFE WITHIN THE GRAIN. Again we have a positive proof that Jesus is referring to the INNERMOST WELLSPRING OF LIFE, THE INNER HEART, THE INNER WILL, THE GREAT HOLY OF HOLIES.

What must this corn of wheat do? It must FALL INTO THE GROUND AND DIE. The word “fall” means to FALL DOWN, FAIL, TO BE BROUGHT DOWN. As the ground is the lowest part we can fall down to while alive, it is symbolic of being brought down to the lowest level. If it falls down to the ground and dies. The word “die” is ‘apothnesko’ which means DIE OFF, BE DEAD, DEATH, OR SLAIN. A LONG TERM PROCESS OF BEING PUT TO DEATH.

Now we come back to the word except. Jesus says EXCEPT YOU DIE AN INNER DEATH, WHICH I CALL SOUL DEATH FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, YOU WILL “ABIDE ALONE”. This is a very important clue to what Scripture means by SATANIC DOMINION, BEING SLAVES, PRISONERS, BOUND IN CHAINS. We are captives. We are held in bondage, held in chains. What does it all mean? The word “abideth” is ‘meno’ which means CONTINUE, DWELL, ENDURE, REMAINS, STANDS, TARRIES. The word “alone” is ‘monos’ which means SOLE, SINGLE, BY ITSELF, ALONE, ALONENESS, SEPARATE UNTO ITSELF. This is crucial for us to understand.

The death that Christ requires of us IS TO BRING US INTO TRUE LIFE. If we refuse to do it, He says WE REMAIN ALONE. That means our whole lives HAVE BEEN LIVED ALONE. WE ARE ALL BY OURSELVES. WE ARE SEPARATE, ALONE, UTTERLY ALONE. If we refuse the strait gate and the narrow way, WE WILL REMAIN, OR CONTINUE IN OUR ALONENESS. The human soul is like a “black hole” discovered in outer space. A black hole is a place in which all light, all energy, all of everything is simply sucked into it and vanishes. It devours everything in its path. The human soul is like that, for it devours all of the LOVE AND ATTENTION IT CAN OBTAIN, AND IT VANISHES WITHIN. The human soul WANTS TO BE LOVED MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. IT WANTS TO BE ACCEPTED, AND RESPECTED. IT WANTS TO BE RECOGNIZED. IT WANTS TO BE IMPORTANT.

Everything is INWARD FLOWING. ALL OF THE LOVE IS BROUGHT INTO THE SOUL. ALL OF THE ATTENTION IS BROUGHT INTO THE SOUL. ALL OF THE ADMIRATION OF OTHERS IS BROUGHT INTO THE SOUL. The soul becomes like a balloon that sucks in all of the love, admiration, attention, respect and prestige it can find, and IT GETS PUFFED UP WITH PRIDE AND ARROGANCE. “Look at me”, and the soul struts and shows off by whatever means it can do so. IT IS AS A BLACK HOLE, ALWAYS CONSUMING, CONSUMING, ALWAYS LOOKING, LOOKING, LOOKING. It will never find what it is looking for. IT WILL ABIDE ALONE.

What the soul is looking for, and does not recognize is JESUS CHRIST, WHO IS AGAPE LOVE. Phileo loves, in all of their forms, and all human agape love is ALWAYS CONDITIONAL. It is conditional because the fall of man MADE IT CONDITIONAL. We can say all we want that we love others, but Jesus says it is a lie. It is a deception, a delusion. WE LOVE ONLY OURSELVES, AND WHEN WE LOVE OTHERS, WE LOVE THEM TO GET SOMETHING BACK. IT IS ALWAYS CONDITIONAL. AT THE CENTER OF OUR BEING IS A STARVED, LOVE CRAVED, ATTENTION CRAVED HOLIER THAN THOU KING, UPON THE THRONE OF DEATH AND ALONENESS. It must be, and HAS TO BE EXTERMINATED.

WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IT OR NOT. LIKE IT OR NOT, YOU ARE utterly alone. YOU CAN HOLD YOUR WIFE, HUSBAND OR BELOVED BUT YOU ARE ALONE. You can pour out your soul to others, but you are still alone. IN THE END YOU ARE A PRISONER OF YOUR NATURE. You were born alone, you live alone, and you die alone. You were born in darkness, you live in darkness, and you die in darkness. You are a prisoner, a captive, held there in absolute chains by Satan. You cannot get outside of yourself no matter how hard you try. You can work charity, do for others all of your life and your NATURE STILL REMAINS THE SAME. YOU ARE ALONE. You will forever be alone.

The conscious mind is not aware of how utterly alone it really is. Everyone senses in their solitude that something is wrong, something is missing, something is just not right. We crowd our minds with thoughts, things to do, places to go, people to visit. It only hides the problem; it only masks the problem. The need for being busy, the need to socialize, the need to keep active is in some measure a way of escape. But we cannot escape. In the end, OUR SIN FINDS US OUT. IN THE END WE WILL REALIZE THE AWFULNESS OF THE HUMAN CONDITION. By then it is too late.

Jesus warns us to CONFRONT HEAD ON OUR CONDITION. He tells us to LEAVE THE WORLD OF BUSINESS AND ACTIVITY AND FIND SOLITUDE. There, in our solitude, in our aloneness, Christ, via the Scriptures, begins to show us what the problem is. If we will continue IN HIS DOCTRINE, WE WILL EVENTUALLY FIND THE TRUTH OF AGAPE LOVE, AND THAT TRUTH WILL SET US FREE. It is a long, arduous journey, full of pitfalls, full of deceptions. But if we honestly seek, God will pull us through it all.

Jesus offers us a way out. It is the way to freedom. THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD FILLS THE VACUUM, AND THE LOVE OF CHRIST BEGINS TO FLOW OUTWARDS, LIKE A RIVER OF WATER. The more you give, the more love you have to give. When agape love comes, when it is fully realized in the soul, FREEDOM FROM THE CHAINS BREAKS FORTH.

Inside every soul is a VACUUM CREATED BY THE LOSS OF AGAPE LOVE. That inner vacuum IS LIKE A VACUUM CLEANER, THAT SUCKS EVERYTHING AROUND IT UP AND INGESTS IT INTO ITSELF. That vacuum will not be filled until or unless the SOUL PICKS UP HIS/HER CROSS AND WALKS THE NARROW WAY TO SOUL DEATH. THAT SOUL MUST EXPERIENCE HIS/HER UTTER ALONENESS, UTTER DESTITUTION BECAUSE IT IS THIS EXPERIENCE THAT IS ENTERING THE DEATH. THE DEATH IS REAL, IT IS EXPERIENTIAL, AND THE WALK OF THE NARROW WAY IS TO SHOW YOU HOW DEAD YOU ARE. It is from this destitution that the soul becomes DESPERATE. It is from this REVEALED NEED, THAT THE HUNGER AND THE THIRST COME FROM. Thus hunger and thirst after truth feeds your faith, and they act together to propel you through.

The void created in the human soul by the lack of agape love can only be filled by the GIFT OF AGAPE LOVE. It is agape love that gives us NEW LIFE. It is the agape love of Christ that resurrects us into new creatures! It is agape love that is the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD.

It is the VOID OR LACK OF AGAPE LOVE THAT MAKES US WHAT WE ARE. We cannot escape ourselves, it is beyond our ability. Man cannot change his inner heart. He cannot change his essential nature. He can dabble around in the outer parameters of the mind, but the INNER HEART IS UTTERLY AND TOTALLY OFF LIMITS. God made it that way. THE EMPTINESS, THE VACUUM is not recognized by the conscious mind/intellect for what it is. It is hidden, deep within. It is up to the individual to BEGIN THE SEARCH. It is up to the individual to LEAVE THE WORLD, TO REARRANGE THE PRIORITIES. The “way” is clearly defined. You may enter in or not.

Man is not aware of the KINGDOM OF SATAN, nor is he aware of the KINGDOM OF GOD. Both are HIDDEN, BOTH ARE SECRET, BOTH ARE MYSTERIES. The occult, and those in the new Age, that refuse the way of Jesus Christ, if they search, will be INITIATED INTO THE KINGDOM OF SATAN. It is called illumination. Satan always poses as LUCIFER, THE LIGHT BEARER TO THESE PEOPLE. That is his disguise for the SO CALLED RIGHTEOUS SOULS. For the unrighteous, the more base, the evil people, HE COMES AS SATAN. He does not mask himself, for he does not need to. For everyone in between, he has a deception, and a delusion to match their needs.

Jesus gave us only ONE WAY to UNMASK ALL OF THE DELUSIONS, ALL OF THE DECEPTIONS. IT IS CALLED STRAIT GATE AND NARROW WAY. It is most unpleasant because it involves FIRST OF ALL, A DECISION TO LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND, AND SECOND OF ALL, A TENACITY OF PURPOSE, AN ABIDING FAITH. It is the exact opposite of the immediate, instant joy and laughter of modern Christianity.

“For the preaching OF THE CROSS IS TO THEM

THAT PERISH

FOOLISHNESS;

BUT UNTO US WHICH ARE SAVED IT IS THE POWER OF GOD.”

(1 Corinthians 1:18)

Modern Christianity counts their own CROSS UTTER FOOLISHNESS. They do not count the CROSS OF CHRIST FOOLISHNESS, WHAT THEY COUNT FOOLISH IS THAT THEY THEMSELVES MUST PICK IT UP AND DIE THE DEATH. Their theology claims Christ did that for them. They carry the doctrine of the SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT BEYOND THAT WHICH IT COVERS. Faith hath a work, and that work is that YOU pick up YOUR CROSS and that YOU die a SOUL DEATH. The preaching of the cross carries with it both the cross of Christ and YOUR CROSS. To them that have picked it up, and walked it, TO THEM THAT ARE SAVED, IT IS THE POWER OF GOD. To all others foolishness.

The vast majority of Christians PERISH. THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST WAS FOOLISHNESS UNTO THEM. They did not understand THEY HAD TO ENTER THE STRAIT GATE (PICK UP THEIR OWN CROSS) AND WALK THE NARROW WAY (DIE THE SOUL DEATH). They had a form of GODLINESS, but they DENIED THE POWER OF GOD. The power of God is IN THE CROSS. The power of God is THROUGH DEATH. We must die before we may be given new life.

“But God forbid that I should glory,

SAVE IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,

BY WHOM THE WORLD IS CRUCIFIED UNTO ME,

AND I UNTO THE WORLD.”

(Galatians 6:14)

It is the CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST THAT THE WORLD IS CRUCIFIED UNTO ME, AND I UNTO THE WORLD. What is Paul saying? We know we have been commanded to pick up our cross. We know that the cross is an instrument of soul death. We know we have been commanded to die to our life IN THIS WORLD. We know that AGAPE LOVE IS WHAT WE NEED FOR LIFE. By walking the narrow way, WHICH IS THE CROSS OF CHRIST, we CRUCIFY OURSELVES AND OUR NATURAL LOVES, AND PUT ON AGAPE LOVE, AND THIS BESTOWMENT CRUCIFIES ME TO THE WORLD. We are now alien one to another. The world is no longer a friend of mine, but my enemy. I am a stranger, a traveler.

It is this PUTTING ON OF AGAPE LOVE THAT CRUCIFIES ME TO THE WORLD, FOR I AM NO LONGER OF THE WORLD. I am a NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST JESUS.

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision

availeth any thing, nor

uncircumcision,

BUT A NEW CREATURE.”

(Galatians 6:15)

Paul is telling us that neither law keeping or not keeping the law matter not. They do not AVAIL US OF ANYTHING. It is not the point. All your good works, all of your efforts, all of your offerings, good thoughts, good deeds and all of it are WORTHLESS, FIT ONLY FOR THE DUNG HILL! They do not have anything to do with SALVATION. What saves a person is AGAPE LOVE BESTOWMENT, FOR WHEN IT OCCURS, YOU ARE A NEW CREATURE, BORN AGAIN, RESURRECTED OUT OF DEATH TO A NEW LIFE. That is the only thing that DOES AVAIL YOU SOMETHING. To get it, THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST MUST BE BORNE BY YOU.

THE NATURE OF THE NARROW WAY

The strait gate appears to be the DECISION TO PICK UP THE CROSS. It is switching from faith IN JESUS, TO THE FAITH OF JESUS. Jesus had the CROSS SET BEFORE HIM. He prayed that the cup pass from Him. YET HE DID IT ANYHOW. You have YOUR CROSS SET BEFORE YOU. YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO IT, BUT DO IT YOU MUST IF YOU ARE TO COME TO THE LIVING JESUS CHRIST! That is why Jesus called the ‘way’ NARROW. The word “narrow” is ‘thlibo’ and it means TO AFFLICT, TO SUFFER TRIBULATION, TO HAVE TROUBLE, TO HAVE AGONY OR ANGUISH OF SOUL, TO APPLY PRESSURE, TO PLACE UNDER PRESSURE. From God’s point of view, it means TO TRY, TO PLACE UNDER TRIAL, TO INSPECT AND SEE IF THE FAITH PROFESSED IS GENUINE OR NOT.

“Confirming the souls of

THE DISCIPLES (CONVERTED BELIEVERS, FOLLOWERS),

AND EXHORTING THEM TO CONTINUE IN THE FAITH,

AND THAT

WE MUST

THROUGH MUCH TRIBULATION

ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.”

(Acts 14:22)

This verse is loaded with information for us. Jesus said we must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. We have discovered that being born again means to have a new heart, and a new love within. Being born again means to have NEW LIFE GRANTED. We also know that Jesus claimed LIFE was at the end of the narrow way, which means we must walk it to obtain it.

We have here a complete confirmation that CONVERSION IS NOT REGENERATION. These believers have not yet ENTERED THE KINGDOM OF GOD. A person enters the Kingdom upon earth THROUGH REGENERATION. The Kingdom of God includes an EARTHLY KINGDOM, A KINGDOM WITHIN THE HEARTS OF MEN AND WOMEN.

The regenerate soul enters the earthly Kingdom of God. It is not visible to the world, for it lies deep within, buried to the world at large. Jesus said the Kingdom of God was within us. God resides in the tabernacle of the invisible man, in the center of his being, in the Holy of Holies, the SEAT OF LIFE. He does not reside in the unregenerate soul, but only in those that are REGENERATED. The Kingdom of God on earth, in the GOSPEL AGE is a spiritual Kingdom. It lies within the regenerated spirits of born again believers. It is not of this world. It has nothing to do with this world.

We have a group of dedicated, sincere disciples here that are fully converted to the Lord Jesus Christ. We have to examine what is said:

1. They are to be confirmed. The word “confirming” is ‘episterizo’ and it means TO SUPPORT FURTHER, TO RE-ESTABLISH, TO STRENGTHEN, TO SUPPORT. We might say to UPLIFT AND GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT. Why is this necessary if the modern faith gospel is correct? This sound like the disciples are going through a severe trial and they need MUCH UPLIFTING, MUCH SUPPORT, MUCH ENCOURAGEMENT TO CONTINUE.

2. There is to be exhorting. The word “exhorting” is ‘parakaleo’ which means INVOKE, IMPLORE, BESEECH, ENTREAT. It means to BEG THEM TO CONTINUE IN THEIR COURSE, TO NOT BE DISCOURAGED, TO KEEP ON PRESSING ON. Again, if the modern faith gospel is correct, then why is this necessary? This implies that indeed the disciples are in deep trial, for otherwise they would not need this sort of preaching to. This seems diametrically opposed to the ANON WITH GREAT JOY AND LAUGHTER CROWD.

3. They must continue. The word “continue” is ‘emmeno’ and it means TO STAY IN, TO PERSEVERE, TO CONTINUE. In short, TO STICK IT OUT TO THE END.

4. They MUST. The word “must” is ‘dei’ and it means BINDING, NECESSARY, MUST, ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT. It means that no one is exempt, ALL MUST UNDERGO IT. Jesus said there was only ONE WAY. He said it was NARROW. The word narrow means full of trouble. There is NO SALVATION APART FROM IT. WE MUST GO THROUGH MUCH TRIBULATION IF WE ARE TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. No exceptions. If you say, “my salvation was not like that”, then you are not saved, for EVERYONE COMES IN UNDER THE SAME ROPE, THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE COMMON TESTIMONY.

5. The word “through” is ‘dia’ which means CHANNEL, PASSAGE, A WAY. It is quite the same thing as WAY. There is a way through which we enter heaven: IT IS NARROW.

They are exhorted to CONTINUE IN THE FAITH. We know that the word continue means to ABIDE IN, REMAIN IN, BE STEADFAST IN. These souls are real converted believers, but they must REMAIN IN THE FAITH. Why? Because to ACTUALLY ENTER IN TO THE NEW COVENANT, WHICH GAINS US ENTRANCE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD, WE MUST SUFFER MUCH TRIBULATION. These people are walking the narrow way, and they are under much TRIBULATION. The unregenerate Christian theology of today attempts to claim this means they are under persecution, and that the Kingdom comes after they die.

It is the usual reversing of Scripture, the usual perverting of Scripture, the usual twisting of Scripture to prove something false. Jesus was adamant in His claim: THE NARROW WAY IS A WAY OF MUCH TRIBULATION. It has nothing to do with worldly persecutions. It has nothing to do with pressure applied by others. Those things will happen, but that is not the tribulation spoken of here. THE NARROW WAY IS A WAY IN WHICH GOD HIMSELF APPLIES THE PRESSURE, THE ANGUISH, THE AGONY OF A SOUL GOING DOWN TO THE DEATH. Scripture proves it.

These believers have not yet been regenerated. They are to continue in the faith; they are to suffer much tribulation as God brings them down to judgment. They are undergoing a form of the great White Throne Judgment right here on earth, while they live. They are going to be exposed to their ugly, nasty, evil and destitute inner heart.

The word “much” is ‘polus’ (the same as many) and it means A GREAT AMOUNT, MUCHLY, LARGELY, ABUNDANT, A GREAT AMOUNT. The word for “tribulation” is ‘thilipsis’ and it means ANGUISH, AFFLICTION, AGONY, TROUBLE, GREAT PRESSURE. In other words, the soul embarked upon the narrow way is going to SUFFER MUCH DISTRESS OF SOUL, AGONY OF SOUL, ANGUISH AND PRESSURE. It is exactly the same meaning as Jesus said when He used the term NARROW. This verse is explaining to you and me a little more about the NARROW WAY.

If you underwent this over a period of time, would you not think you might MOURN AND WEEP? Would you not think you might at times come UNGLUED AND BESIDE YOURSELF? Do you suppose that God chose the words mourning and weeping for a reason? Just as the NARROW WAY LEADS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD, SO DOES THIS MUCH TRIBULATION LEAD TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Coincidence? You decide. It should be pointed out that the word CONTINUE, ABIDE IN, AND REMAIN UNDER, IMPLY PATIENCE IS REQUIRED. Patience is the opposite of immediate, instant.

This all sounds very difficult, that only a FEW might be willing to pay the price:

“And if the RIGHTEOUS

SCARCELY BE SAVED,

where shall the UNGODLY AND SINNER APPEAR?”

(1 Peter 4:18)

The word “scarcely” as you know is ‘molis’, which means WITH DIFFICULTY, HARDLY ABLE, WITH MUCH WORK, WITH MUCH TOIL, WITH MUCH LABOR. The root is ‘mogis’ which means TO TOIL WITH DIFFICULTY. It is the opposite of easy; it is the opposite of the wide gate and broad way. It confirms totally the strait gate and narrow way and why Christ said only a few would undergo it. Jesus said the others will NOT HAVE POWER ENOUGH TO ACCOMPLISH IT. This certainly sounds like a SEVERE TRIAL. How do we reconcile this with INSTANT SALVATION, IMMEDIATE UNION, FINDING A LIFE AT CONVERSION?

The New Testament writers all confirm that there is a MAJOR FIGHT, STRUGGLE AND BATTLE BEFORE VICTORY IS OBTAINED. The victory is to OVERCOME THE BARRIERS ERECTED BY THE SELF AND SATAN, THE BARRIERS OF HOSTILITY AND HATRED TOWARDS GOD. Few will even admit they are there, let alone attempt to destroy them.

“FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH,

LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE,

WHEREUNTO THOU ART ALSO CALLED,

AND HAST PROFESSED A GOOD PROFESSION

BEFORE MANY WITNESSES.”

(1 Timothy 6:12)

Notice that FAITH IS USED DURING THIS WHOLE FIGHT. It requires an ABIDING, CONTINUING FAITH, THE FAITH OF CHRIST, TO FIGHT THIS FIGHT. It is just the opposite of a DECISION FOR CHRIST, OR THE ACCEPTANCE OF CHRIST AND HIS CLAIMS TO BEING YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR. This is a BATTLE, A FIGHT OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. The end of the fight is the granting of ETERNAL LIFE, WHICH IS IN AGAPE LOVE:

“And this is the RECORD, THAT GOD

HATH GIVEN TO US ETERNAL LIFE,

AND THIS LIFE IS IN THE SON.”

(1 John 5:11)

Notice the PRESENT/PAST TENSE APPLICATION: “HATH GIVEN TO US”. If eternal life HAS BEEN GRANTED TO US, THEN WE POSSESS IT ALREADY. It is not something we shall obtain to, it is something that IS ALREADY PRESENT IN THE REGENERATED SON OF GOD! That is why the REGENERATE SOUL ENTERS INTO REST. He is under the rest of AGAPE LOVE BESTOWMENT. The issue between Him and God is settled.

The word “fight” is ‘agonizomai’ and it means TO STRUGGLE, TO FIGHT AN ADVERSARY, TO LABOR FERVENTLY. It is identical to the word for NARROW. Jesus said we must STRIVE TO ENTER, now we are being told to FIGHT THE FIGHT TO THE LAYING HOLD OF ETERNAL LIFE.

If we are to “lay hold of” eternal life, then obviously there is AN END OR DESTINATION WE ARE TO ACHIEVE, TO ARRIVE AT. Jesus said we should seek until we FIND. He said we should knock until the door was OPENED. There is an EVIDENCE WE WILL OBTAIN TO PROVE WE HAVE FOUND IT. IT IS FULLY EXPERIENTIAL, IT IS FULLY SUPERNATURALLY REVEALED, AND IT IS FULLY CONFIRMED IN THE SCRIPTURE. By two or more witnesses is anything established.

We find again the differences between conversion and regeneration here. We can prove, and will do so, that eternal life is granted the believer AT REGENERATION. The issue between God and the believer is forever settled in the heavenly places, WHEN AGAPE LOVE IS REVEALED, ACCEPTED AND BESTOWED. The regenerated soul is HIDDEN IN CHRIST. He has ETERNAL LIFE. It is the FIGHT OF FAITH TO LAY HOLD OF ETERNAL LIFE. When AGAPE LOVE IS FOUND, AND ACCEPTED, ETERNAL LIFE IS GRANTED. This will be examined fully in the final report of this DARK LIGHT series.

We are called, and we make a profession of faith. We then, if we are obedient to Christ, enter the strait gate and walk the narrow way to LIFE. That life is ETERNAL, FOR CHRIST IS ETERNAL. Christ has no other type of life, for His life’s essence is DIVINE AGAPE LOVE. Timothy is being urged on by Paul to CONTINUE THE FIGHT UNTIL HE LAYS HOLD OF ETERNAL LIFE. Paul knew he would have, as long as HE CONTINUED TO FIGHT ON, TO PRESS ON TO THE END OF HIS FAITH. How did Paul know? Because the Scripture GUARANTEES SALVATION TO ALL THOSE THAT OBEY. It us a sure thing. Paul said he had FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. He had KEPT THE COURSE. Nothing else mattered to Paul.

Notice that the fighting of THE FIGHT OF FAITH PRECEDES the laying hold of agape love. You do not get agape love first, and then fight the fight of faith! THE FIGHTING COMES PRIOR TO THE LAYING HOLD OF. Do not put the cart before the horse. Thus:

“I have FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT,

I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE,

I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.”

(2 Timothy 4:7)

The word for “fought” and “fight” here also is ‘agonizomai’ which means TO HAVE LABORED, A FERVENT STRUGGLE. The word “kept” is ‘tereo’ which means PREVENT FROM ESCAPING, HELD ON TO, KEPT. This implies an ALL DAY, EVERY DAY FIGHT, FOR THE FIGHT LASTED RIGHT TO THE END. It was time for Paul to be killed, and he knew his ministry was over. Paul was certainly under the impression that there was a REAL BATTLE INVOLVED, AND A VERY EXPERIENTIAL ONE AT THAT, FOR HE KNEW HE HAD WON IT. Paul knew he won the victory. It was not done by an instant decision some time in the ancient past, but by a constant and abiding FAITH, WITH MILLIONS OF DECISIONS DAILY TO KEEP THE BATTLE LINES STRONG, and THE DEFENSES SUPPLIED.

This seems a bit removed from the ANON WITH GREAT JOY CHRISTIANITY BEING SOLD ON THE MARKET TODAY. Could that be why there is no power in the Church today? Is it because they do not understand the cross, and what it means? That they have to pick it up, and die with Christ? Is that why the ‘many’ are rejected?

“And THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION,

THAT LIGHT (AGAPE LOVE) IS COME INTO THE WORLD,

AND MEN LOVED DARKNESS (THEIR OWN PHILEO LOVES)

RATHER THAN LIGHT,

BECAUSE THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL (DONE IN PHILEO LOVE).

FOR EVERY ONE THAT DOETH EVIL (ALL OF MANKIND)

HATETH THE LIGHT (OF AGAPE LOVE),

NEITHER COMETH TO THE LIGHT,

LEST HIS DEEDS SHOULD BE REPROVED.”

(John 3:19-20)

Although we have seen this verse before, it is a very important part of our study, for it again verifies the NARROW WAY. There is only ONE CONDEMNATION. There are not two, three or four. ONLY ONE CONDEMNATION. The issue is THE AGAPE LOVE LIGHT OF GOD. THERE IS NO OTHER ISSUE. MAN MUST WALK THE NARROW WAY AND BE JUDGED BY THE LIGHT OF AGAPE LOVE WHILE STILL ALIVE. It confirms that the narrow way is INDEED A FORM OF THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT. The light of God is His pure agape love essence. That is the STANDARD BY WHICH HIS MORAL AND ETHICAL UNIVERSE ARE MEASURED BY. God sent that light to the world THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, who WALKED THE WALK OF PURE AGAPE LOVE. God gave Him power to verify who Christ was. The world HATED CHRIST, BECAUSE HE EXPOSED THEIR SIN. By contrasting their behavior, morals, and ethics with God’s standard, THEY UTTERLY CONDEMNED THEMSELVES.

Notice how Jesus words it. AGAPE LOVE (LIGHT) HAS COME INTO THE WORLD, AND MEN HATED AGAPE LOVE. They could not bear to have their deeds HELD UP TO THE AGAPE LOVE STANDARD TO HAVE THEIR DEED REPROVED BY IT. The reproof STINGS WITH REBUKE, SMARTS FROM REPROOF, THE SCOURGING IS NOT PLEASANT. It exposes the believer to everything that the LIGHT OF AGAPE LOVE CANNOT APPROVE OF. It proves totally that the narrow way is a method that God uses to CONVINCE, CONVICT AND REPROVE ANYONE WHO WILL COME OF:

“And when he is come, he will REPROVE THE WORLD

OF SIN,

AND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

AND OF JUDGMENT.”

(John 16:8)

1. SIN – The primary sin of man is that he does not AGAPE LOVE. He does not have it in his soul. He is destitute of this form of love. Whatever love man does have is a shallow and conditional love, totally manipulative, totally conditional. Those loves, called phileo loves in their many and varied forms, CANNOT STAND THE REBUKE OF DIVINE AGAPE LOVE. Because man will not FACE THE TRUTH, HE IS CONDEMNED BY THE TRUTH. When a soul dies, and this AGPAE LOVE QUESTION HAS NOT BEEN SETTLED, HE FACES IT AT THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT. Because the soul is dead, CHRIST CANNOT SAVE THAT SOUL.

The offer of salvation in Christ is made ONLY TO THE LIVING. If a person will respond to the COMMANDS OF CHRIST, and enter in to the strait gate, and walk the narrow way to have his deeds REPROVED BY THE LIGHT OF AGAPE LOVE, and if that soul will CONFESS HIS SIN OF AGAPE LOVE DESTITUTION, FROM HIS HEART OF HEARTS, AND CRY OUT TO GOD FOR MERCY, THEN CHRIST WILL COME. He will step forward out of nowhere and offer HIS CLOAK OF AGAPE LOVE TO THAT SOUL. That soul went through his own GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT WHILE ALIVE. Because he is alive while this judgment takes place, CHRIST CAN SAVE THAT SOUL. The STANDARD OF JUDGMENT IN BOTH CASES IS IDENTICAL: AGAPE LOVE.

2. RIGHTEOUSNESS – the word “righteousness” is ‘dikaiosune’ which means EQUITY, JUSTIFICATION. It comes from ‘dikaios’, which means INNOCENT, HOLY, JUST. I would ask, what is it that makes God JUST? Is it just because He is God? Satan is a God, a lesser God, but is he JUST? That which is the MEASURE TO PROVE JUSTIFICATION IS AGAPE LOVE, PURE DIVINE AGAPE LOVE IS THE STANDARD. It is the agape love essence of God and Christ that make them JUSTIFIED, JUST, RIGHTEOUS.

We have proven that the AGAPE LOVE ISSUE IS THE ONLY ISSUE BETWEEN MAN AND GOD. Why? Because THE STANDARD, THE MEASURE OF GOD IS THE AGAPE LOVE STANDARD. HE HAS IT, WE DO NOT. We were created with it, our mother and father Adam and Eve LOST IT FOR US, and we are DESTITUTE AND LOST WITHOUT IT.

If we do not have AGAPE LOVE, WHICH IS THE ESSENCE OF ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE ESSENCE OF EQUITY AND JUST ACTIONS, THE ESSENCE OF ALL TRUE MORALITY AND ETHICAL STANDARDS, THEN WHAT IS MAN? The answer is obvious: man is considered UNJUST, UNHOLY, AND GUILTY. We have come full circle; we are back to the original claim of God: YOU ARE GUILTY BEFORE THE STANDARD OF AGAPE LOVE.

It is the job of the Holy Spirit to CONVICT US of this fact. It is a time consuming and very nasty job. It is not an outer heart, conscious conviction. THE AX IS LAID TO THE ROOT, TO THE CORE, THE INNER HEART. The conscious mind knows something is very wrong, but it will not know what it is until the MOMENT OF THE REVELATION. The soul will only know that it is alone, separated, and disparate. It will know that it is dead inside. It will know that there is a major problem, a void, but all of it comes FROM A MUCH DEEPER PLACE THAN THE MIND. THE MIND IS USED BY THE LORD TO STIR UP THE SOUL TO FIND THE TRUTH. God uses the mind to ESTABLISH A FOOT HOLD. The mind is used to CONVICT THE CONSCIOUS MIND AND HEART OF THE REALITY OF CHRIST, THE REALITY OF HIS DOCTRINES, THE TRUTH OF IT ALL.

The conscious mind is the instrument of CONVERSION. A whole heart conversion will lead, IF THEY CONTINUE ON THE DOCTRINES OF CHRIST, IF THEY CONTINUE IN THEIR SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH, TO A FINDING OF AGAPE LOVE. It is a lie of modern Christianity that it is non-experiential and you simply accept it BY FAITH. It will be proven that AGAPE LOVE DOES NOT COME BY FAITH. FAITH HAS NO