>>The original post refers to Jesus’ own statement regarding the exclusivity of the kingdom.
So, I am wasting my finite life with the things I do for him because they aren’t enough? I don’t pretend to believe for a second that I am one “a few” if a few is a very small number because I’m just not that good.
Sorry, but I will go with the verses that you ignore and take the ones you like in the context of why Jesus even bothered to come to Earth. He could have saved a select, hard-working few without all the drama.
But what is a “few” anyway? There have been 16 billion people on this planet since the start. As a percentage of that, a “few” is still a lot of people. I believe that his “few” is as many as he wants. It might be 6. It might be 6 billion. He is in charge and I fully accept that.
Imagine a phone conversation like this:
“Congratulations, Mr. Bryanw92, we’re giving away a limited number of brand new Porsche 911s, valued at $120,000, and you’ve been selected to receive one.”
“What?! I can’t afford that!”
“No, Mr. Bryanw92, you don’t understand. We’re GIVING you one.”
“Oh, that’s great! I look forward to receiving it!”
“Wonderful. Now, Mr. Bryanw92, we need you to come down to the showroom on Tuesday to show us your driver’s license, fill out the registration and title transfer forms, pick up the keys, and pose for a news story photo.”
“Wow, that sure sounds like a lot of work just for a Porsche 911. Lemme guess, you also expect me to pay for oil changes, annual inspections and tags, fill it up with gas when it gets low, and put new tires on it every few years, huh?”
“Well yes, Mr. Bryanw92, those will be your responsibility. But you understand the car is a free gift.”
“Doesn’t sound free to me! Sounds like I’m EARNING IT!”
That’s the way some people treat the gospel invitation. The caller might reply:
“No, Mr. Bryanw92, if you had to earn it, you wouldn’t be able to afford it. What we’re requiring of you are things you’re able to do. And what we’re offering is something you couldn’t acquire on your own. Don’t confuse ‘conditions for receiving’ with ‘earning’.”
For many people, the price of entering the kingdom is too high. Only few will get in.