The Worthwhile Effort



"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." (Luke 13:22-30)

In today's passage, Jesus was asked a question about eternal life (v. 23). The way He responded gives insight to a prophetic revelation and an urgent invitation.

Someone in the crowd asked Jesus a curious and perhaps well-intentioned question: "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" Jesus, in His wisdom and understanding of the heart of man, did not answer the question. Instead, He focused on the responsibility that each individual has regarding their salvation: "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able."

Striving implies that entering through the door will present specific difficulties that will require devotion, discipline, obedience, and perseverance to overcome. This does not mean that salvation is achieved by our own human efforts but through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2: 8–9). However, saving faith still comes with daily challenges and continuous transformation.

Jesus said, "I am the door" (John 10: 9). A door provides access and is not meant to simply be admired or acknowledged. Similarly, it is not enough just to know about Jesus, hear about his teachings, and admire His life and miracles; instead, it is essential to go through Him to obtain salvation and eternal life (John 14:6).

One day that opportunity will come to an end. The door will close, even though many will want to enter believing that they deserve it because they attended church, tithed, or did good deeds; God will not know them and will even call them evildoers. The most surprising thing will be that we will find many that we did not expect to in the kingdom of heaven, and we will miss many that we anticipated finding. The last shall be the first, and the first shall be the last (Matthew 20:16).

LET US PRAY - Father help us continually strive to go through the narrow door that leads to eternal life while it remains open. In Jesus' name. Amen.


Location: Exmouth, Reino Unido

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