“Make Every Effort…!”

“Make Every Effort…!”(Lk.13:22-30).
“Someone asked him, ‘Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door…'”
Prof. Kwame Bediako of blessed memory posits that the rapid expansion of Christianity in the African continent is “the surprise element.” Christianity is spreading in Africa by geometric proportions. We are in 2023, barely 17 years more to get to 2040; the year by which the projections show that by then Africa will be the continent with highest number of Christians.
The centre of Christian presence is fast shifting from Europe and America to Africa and Asia.
It is seemingly the fulfilment of the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as people are now coming from east and west, north and south to take their places at the feast in the kingdm of God.
Does the concentration of Christian growth in Africa mean we already have a place in the kingdom of God? Certainly not! To the majority of us we we are comfortable with rubbing shoulders with Christ, claiming to be dinning and wining with him and being familiar with his teachings through regular church attendances and prompt payment of our dues.
But when the time comes, the Lord may tell us, “I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!”
And here my friend is another big surprise element: “there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
The first will be last because they have been complacent. They have taken it for granted that they have come close to Jesus, but are not making every effort to enter through the narrow door!
The man who asked Jesus whether only a few people are going to be saved must have observed the large crowds that always gathered to listen to Jesus’ preaching and be healed, but he also observed that only a few were loyal to Jesus.
Jesus did not give a direct answer of yes or no. Rather he made it clear that it is good to make hay while the sun shines. Do not wait till there is a scramble and a stampede when people will be vying to get in through the narrow door.
Therefore, turn away from the things of the world, turn away from sin and fix your eyes on Christ!
Prayer of the week: Holy Spirit guide me as I find my way in through the narrow door. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.