A Strife That Is Recommended

Dear reader, there is much strife upon this earth. Since the fall of Adam in Paradise, we have lost our peace with God and among each other. There is the strife for our daily existence and welfare in connection with Genesis 3:17b, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life." Also consider verses 18 and 19, in which is spoken about thorns and thistles and about the sweat of thy face, which means nothing else than all the toil and hardship which we must endure to earn our daily bread.

There is strife in families when bitterness arises between husbands and wives, between children and parents, and between parents and children. In Genesis 26:35 we read that Esau's wives were a grief of mind unto Isaac and Rebekah (see also Genesis 23:46). What sorrow and trouble there was later in the families of Jacob, of David, and of others in the Scriptures. There is strife in war, for the world is never at peace; there are always contentions here or there between different countries.

There is strife for honor, for high positions, for advantages, for profits. There is even much strife in churches. But there is only one strife which is recommended. That is the strife of which we read in the text, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate." This is the same strife of which we read in 1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life," and in 2 Timothy 4:7a, "I have fought the good fight."

The Lord Jesus was answering a person who had come to Him with the question whether many would be saved or not, saying, "Lord, are there few that be saved?" Was this person concerned about himself? Was he a missing, a seeking one who did not reveal this so plainly, but came with a more common question about the number of those who would be saved? We do not know this, because Scripture does not tell us. Yet he, and not only he, but also all who were present there and all of us who read or hear it, receive the same answer, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate."

This strait gate is the entrance into the kingdom of heaven through the only Way, the Lord Jesus Christ, who calls Himself the Door. He does not predict an easy way to heaven, but a difficult one for flesh and blood. And why, dear reader? It is because as soon as the false rest is denounced in a man's life, the whole army of Satan is alarmed. World and flesh will make every effort to kill that newborn life. It is as is written in Revelation 12:4b, "And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born."

As soon as the Lord plants faith in a soul, this strife between flesh and blood will begin, and it shall not end until that soul is above all strife in heaven. This strife is upon the estate of the true doctrine and of daily life. It is because of the principle of holiness planted in the hour of regeneration. It is about becoming united with the Lord Jesus Christ in a lawful commitment and about becoming conformed to His image, not to have our own righteousness, but only His righteousness. It is not about living by relying upon our works, but upon His works, which we can never obtain other than by faith only, believing that He is that Gift of the Father, given to be a ransom for many.

The more that Christ may dwell in the heart of such a striving one, the more hatred will come from the side of the world and their own flesh. The more the disciples were united with their Master, following Him in the likeness o f His death and later in the likeness of His resurrection, the more they were hated by the Pharisees and scribes. Why? It was because the Pharisees did not rely upon the foundation of His works, but upon their own works. They were blind for the purpose of His coming in the flesh; they were thinking that all was well with themselves. They are mentioned by Christ in the second part of the text, "For many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." In the following verses you can read what they bring forward for which they think to be accepted. But all will be too short. Oh, when His stamp is lacking upon it, we shall not be able to enter in.

Therefore, people in that strife, strive not with carnal weapons and not to become the greatest, but to be the smallest one, in order to break through the army of enemies. In that strife you must use the strongest weapon that was ever made, namely, prayer. Use that sharp sword of His Word, and believe that He goes before His flock in that strife, yea, that in Him all the enemies are already conquered. He will sometimes give rest when they need it, and in that rest they receive a little foretaste of the final victory.

Reader, what is your strife? Boys and girls, do you have something of this strife? Realize that many will begin to strive, but not until it is too late, when the door is already closed (verse 25). This strife has a beginning here, during your lifetime, and not hereafter. So do not postpone it.

Striving ones, keep courage, for the victory is sure in Him. No, you are not perfect in that strife; the admonition of Hebrews 12:12-13 is often suitable for you, "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." Yet God will stir them up time and again. Christ was praying for Peter that his faith should not fail. Better is a holy war than a false peace. One day you will receive that true peace. Oh, what will that be for such a one who was so often discouraged!

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