How Hard is it to be Saved?

Jesus’ answer sheds light on the question

How hard is it to be saved? How many will make it? Will we be surprised at who is not in heaven? I suppose theologians have debated these questions through the ages. But what did Jesus say? We must take his words very seriously and not try to explain them away, as many have done.

Here is what he said.

He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?”

And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Luke 13:22-30 (ESV)

Jesus was asked a critical question and his answer was not like the glib answer we so often give today.

Difficulty Ahead

His answer is profound and troubling. First, he said we must strive or ‘make every effort’ which is from the Greek word agonizomai, from agon (conflict). We cannot casually enter; it takes a great striving. This does not at all minimize grace. God’s grace saves us. Much more about this in a minute.

Not only that but it’s a ‘narrow door.’ In other words, it’s restricted. It is hard to get through a narrow door.

Despite what we may believe, Jesus made this point that ‘many… will not be able to.’ Even with effort, not all will get in!

He even tells us that the narrow door won’t be open forever. The door will be closed!

Once closed it will not be opened. Pleading, knocking, crying out will not open it!

Those crying out have a convincing argument – ‘we ate and drank with you, you taught in our streets.’ While this sounds like relationship talk, and it is, it is not enough.

The response to the argument is that ‘I don’t know where you come from.’ The Father wills not to recognize them. It’s not enough to have casual fellowship. It’s not enough to listen to his teaching.

There is an absolute rejection of pretenders at this point. He says clearly: ‘away from me, you evil doers.’ This is a startling reality. If you haven’t made the effort to enter, you are evil!

The agony of rejection will be profound and eternal. The suffering of those outside are contrasted with the feast inside.

There is a principle in scripture that we see repeated over and over: ‘last first and first last.’ The favor of history or time is no guarantee. Faithful church-goers and Americans will miss the kingdom.

Lessons

The kingdom of God is not easily entered (we tend to make grace way too cheap).

One of the great evils of our day is that we have made salvation (grace) easy and cheap!

The scriptures, and particularly Jesus, should disabuse us of this notion! Jesus said, if you want to be my disciple, take up your cross and follow me. Paul said, I am crucified with Christ

How do we strive (agonize) to enter the narrow door?

With faith

We must nurture a deep abiding belief that Jesus died for our sins, that he will forgive us and change us.

With repentance

Confession of sin is essential but only a start. Repentance means we are earnestly willing to change; to abandon our way and go Jesus’ way.

With obedience

We must be eagerly seeking to hear the words of Jesus and to follow him wherever he leads us.

With the power of God

Remember that Satan opposes any move we make towards God. God’s prevenient grace aids our faith and repentance. His saving grace forgives, transforms and adopts us as his children. God’s sustaining grace empowers complete obedience.

Few are saved (many more are kept out)

Even though Jesus died for everyone, few find salvation! We should not be surprised at the mass rejection of the message of salvation.

Why do so few find it?

They try the wrong things. The ways of the world, spirituality, counterfeit religion and good behavior will not get you saved!

They try to make use of cheap grace. ‘I prayed the prayer, now I am good to go!’ ‘I go to church once in a while so I’m good to go!’ They believe that if they say a few religious words they are obedient. Sadly, many believe they are automatically saved based on their upbringing, family faith, ethnic, national or religious heritage.

Our time for entering is limited (the door will be closed).

There are two ways this is true. We only have access to the kingdom as long as we are alive and we only have access to the kingdom until Jesus returns. We do not and cannot know when the door will be closed.

Many religious (good) people will miss the kingdom (and suffer eternally for it).

There is an earnest desire in our hearts for those we know to be in the kingdom eternally.  We seek desperately for a sign that a departed loved one was saved but many who had every advantage, will not make it! Thank about what Jesus said. All those who heard Jesus teaching, who ate and drank with him, hear his teaching today, spend time in church, religious activities, concerts and retreats are not guaranteed. In fact, many won’t make it because they didn’t make every effort (agonize).

Have you agonized? Share your comment here or on our Facebook page.