"The All Important Questions"

Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?"  Luke 13:23

Have you ever asked this question? Have you ever wondered? Seems to me it was a pretty reasonable question for the disciples to ask. I think they were looking for a little different answer though. One that contained a number or at the very least a "Yes," or "No." Instead Jesus answers like He did most often; in a way that makes you examine yourself!
 
In today's world it is pretty normal to have an annual doctors visit, just for a check-up. It is a pretty accepted method of staying healthy or at the very least catching things early so that they are not difficult to deal with. Paul, in a couple of places talks about going over the basics, the things they already know, just to make sure that things are all right spiritually.  For example you'll see this in 2 Peter 1:12  Today's snack is all about examining ourselves; making sure that we are healthy spiritually! 

When the Jesus answered their all important question these are the thought provoking words He answered with...
       
   "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
   "When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, ' I do not know you, where you are from,'
   "Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.'
   "But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.'
   "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.
   "They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.
   "And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last." Luke 13:24-30

Jesus, in the telling of the parable of the ten virgins used similar words ...

   "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came,and those who were ready went in with Him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
   "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us!"
   "But He answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you."
   "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25:10-13

In both these examples there were people who used the word, 'Lord' to address Him but they were on the outside when the door was shut. The first because they didn't come through the gate and the second because they were without oil. We need to make sure we are part of those that have come from the east, west, north, south and that when we come, we are ready with oil in our lamps. In this way we may be sure that we are those that have entered in and that we won't be a part of those who are saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us!" when it is too late.

One last thought for today in our self examination is this...In Revelation 2:4-5 He is addressing an issue with the church of Ephesus and he tells them ..."that you have left your first love." He addresses their need to repent; He tells them to do the 'first works' or else He will remove their lampstand."

So, it is check-up time and here are the all important questions!

#1 - Have you entered through the gate? --------Jesus
#2 - Do you have oil in your lamp?  ------- The Holy Spirit
#3 - Are you still serving Him with? ---- First Love's Passion

   "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  
    Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
    I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14

God Bless and I'll see you there!