BaptistWay Bible Series for February 28: A narrow door, a limited time

On one end of the spectrum is the view that God has chosen who will be saved and who will be lost. On the other end is the view that each person chooses the path of salvation or damnation. Is it all predetermined by God and unchangeable? Or is it all left up to each individual?

This debate has raged on for centuries. Many label the former view as Calvinism and the latter as Arminianism—each named for their principal advocates. Both of the these positions as well as viewpoints in between have been championed by dedicated Baptist folks from the earliest days of our history.

Jesus has much to say concerning the importance of making a decision in light of an eternal deadline. To encourage discussion if you are teaching this passage or to help you in your own personal study, consider including the following material as you focus on Luke 13:22-35.

God’s sovereign choice and man’s freedom to choose both appear in the Bible from beginning to end. Like the parallel rails of a train track, they run side by side all the way through the story of God’s plan to redeem his creation.

I believe the best explanation involves one’s perspective. God is all-knowing and man is given the freedom to choose. How do you reconcile the two?

Imagine you are walking through life and along the way you pass by a door. The door is closed but above the doorframe you see an inscription which reads: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28), and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

You consider this invitation. Apparently, it is intended for any and all who would read it and accept it. You consider your situation in life. You are frustrated and sorrowful over past mistakes. You live with regret for you have allowed important relationships in your life to dwindle and die. The invitation over the doorway seems too good to be true but you step through the door, believing your choice has made the difference between life and death.

You have passed from death into life. Your life takes on a new meaning, a new purpose. Living in God’s kingdom is more than you ever imagined. You still have problems and trials, but God’s presence abides with you. Prayer takes on a new meaning. You are becoming more and more like Jesus every day. Making the choice to step through the door of faith has made all the difference. You are thankful for God’s invitation and have no problem telling others about your journey.

Then one day as you are walking along through life, you notice the door you entered. You now  are looking at it from the inside. As you pass by, you glance at the doorframe and see there is an inscription. Just like the inscription on the top of the doorframe from the outside, this one is at the top of the doorframe on the inside. It says: “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16), and “I have chosen you out of the world” (John 15:19).

Both inscriptions are true. God’s word is true. The difference in our understanding is a matter of perspective. When we are lost, standing on the outside, and we hear the invitation to come into God’s kingdom, we see a choice that is ours to make. But when we put our faith in Christ and begin living for him, we come to understand that salvation is not of our doing, but it is all about God’s choosing us.

Until God calls all things to their proper end, the Bible states people can choose. We have an open window of opportunity to share the truth and compel people to choose Jesus. At some point in time, this door of opportunity will close.

Philippians 2:9-11 says: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Once again, consider one’s perspective. Everyone will acknowledge Jesus Christ is Lord. Those who stepped through the door of salvation during the days of opportunity will see the Lord in heaven. Others will acknowledge the lordship of Christ from “under the earth.” Perhaps this identifies those who rejected his love when it was freely offered. Consequently, though too late, they understand who he is and what they have missed.

Some day we will understand the great mysteries of our faith. I look forward to the day when I will see things from heaven’s vantage point. Until then, I have enough information to keep me busy for a little while, just as long as I live. People are walking through life, searching for the answer. I can share with them the love of God and encourage them to make a choice, to step through the door of faith. Then I will let God reveal to them who really made the choice.