Losing the soul? Narrow gate? Depart from Me?
What then will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life (Mt. 16:26 JB)? Go in through the narrow gate; for wide is the… road which leads to ruin (Mt 7:14 DSB) I have never known you. Go away from me… (Mt. 7:23 PME)
According to Andrew Jukes, three principles solve the great riddle of mercy for all (Ro. 11:32) and few finding the way (Mt. 7:14): A right understanding of: election; the ages ; and death, destruction, and judgment. “This throws a flood of light on Scripture and enable us at once to see order and agreement where without this light there seems perplexing inconsistency.” (13)
All warnings can be understood similarly. “Many are called, but few are chosen (Mt. 22:14).” Christ chooses from among His “called” those worthy to rule with Him in the age or ages to come. We qualify for this by living a life of obedience (the narrow gate), and love. We are to be a kings and priests—a holy nation, a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9-12). See chapter five.
Christ “laid down His life [Greek psuchē, Strong’s #5590] for us” (1Jn. 3:16). Psuchē is translated as “life” or “soul.” The Jerusalem Bible words Mt. 16:26: “ruins his life.” Christ illuminates this in His next statement: “And then He will reward each according to his works” (Mt. 16:27). “According to works” is the Blessed Hope! God renders to each person according to what is deserved; no more, no less! This flows with the whole tenor of Scripture (Ps. 62:12; Pr.24:12; Is. 59:18; Jer. 17:10, 25:14; Ez.24:14, 36:19; Hos.12:2; Zec.1:6; Mt.6:14-15, 7:1, 16:27, 18:34-35; Mk.4:24, 11:25-26; Lu.12:47-48,59, 14:14, 18:14; Ro.2:6; 2Co. 5:10, 11:15; Ga.6:7; Ep.6:8; Col.3:25; 2Ti.4:14; Ja.2:13; 1Pe.1:17; Re.2:23, 18:6, 20:12-13, 22:12, etc.).
The essence of Mt. 16:27 is the same as Mt. 19:21: “If you want to be perfect go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Christ is speaking of perfection. With this in mind, I would say that to “ruin” or “lose” one’s life (Mt. 16:26) means one is losing the opportunity of living a “perfect” life – a fruitful life in Christ. Such a life forfeits those things of the world that are without lasting value. It is a great deception to seek after that which is only worthless in the end. Jesus taught us to lay up treasures in heaven, and not on earth (Mt. 6:19). These treasures consist of good works that bless others. (Mt. 25:44-45; Ja. 1:27; 1Jn. 3:17-18). This is true wealth. If we are self seeking, we are losing or wasting our lives. Does that mean God will trash us forever? Not a God of love! Never! He will chastise us according to our works as the loving Father He is (He. 12:5-11). In His own way and time, He will cause us to learn the lessons we are destined to learn; for He works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ep. 1:9-11). Whatever else it might mean to “ruin life,” “take the wide road,” be “sent away,” it does not mean He cannot or will not discipline and restore us to Himself in His “due time.” His promises “for all” guarantee it!
References:
13 Jukes, Andrew. The Restitution of All Things. Santa Clarita, CA: Concordant, 1867. 28.
From Hope Beyond Hell Revised 2010 pages 220-221
July 15, 2012
I think the dilemma of “Narrow is the way” is this… Jesus was preaching under the Law… and Jesus wanted to bury them under the Law so their eyes would be opened up that He truly was the Way and the Life… and how hopeless it is to keep the law and be saved by keeping it. He talked in the Beatitude chapter of “it’s not wrong to just commit adultry, it’s wrong to even look at a woman lustfully…and other examples are given… Again in the other passage, as mentioned above, he tells the guy to sell all he has to inherit the kingdom of God. Yet this message isn’t preached from the pulpits. Why? Because we know it was Jesus trying to open this man’s eyes to salvation being through Him and not through Works… so I think this passage is the same.. Also, the passage about how the rich man cannot go through the eye of the needle… no hope… disciples moan “How can anyone be saved then?” to which he responds that with man, it is IMPOSSIBLE, but with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! 🙂 Good news indeed! 🙂