Luke chapter 13 opens up the discussion of what my role looks like as a disciple of Jesus, especially verses 1-9 and 22-30.

• repentance of sin is necessary to enter discipleship
• fruitfulness is essential to it
• absolutes define it

I found a paragraph written by D.L.Moody to explain this part of Jesus’ expression of what it looks to walk with Him, especially as Jesus gives no leeway to sin.

Who are we to strive with? Not with the gate-keeper. The gate-keeper stands with the gate wide open, and he says, “Come in, come in!” All the striving is with the flesh; it is with this old carnal nature of ours….MANY a man would be willing to enter into the kingdom of God, if he could do it without giving up sin. People sometimes wonder why Jesus Christ, who lived six hundred years before Mohammed, has got fewer disciples than Mohammed to-day. There is no difficulty in explaining that. A man may become a disciple of Mohammed, and continue to live in the foulest, blackest, deepest sin; but a man cannot be a disciple of Christ without giving up sin.

If I am to accept the role as a follower of Jesus, my life needs to express fruit. In fact, one would know I have accepted my call to follow Jesus based on the fruit my life produces.

Luke expresses it so clearly and simply and there is no confusion – love it!