Are You One of the Many?

     And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?"
     And He said unto them, "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able."
                                                         Luke 13:23-24 NASB

     We see from this passage of scripture that many will seek to enter the kingdom of heaven, but not be able to. In fact only a few will be saved! Jesus tells us that many are on the broad way to destruction, while few find the narrow road that leads to life (Matt 7:13-14). This does not sound like the modern evangelical message we hear today. We are taught that it is very easy to "get saved." It sure seems like so many people call themselves Christians, and while we like to give people the benefit of the doubt in some matters, this one has eternal consequences, and we do well understand that what Jesus taught, is not the same as what we hear so many teach today.
     There are many professing Christians, but Jesus tells us there are few who are being saved. Someone is wrong, and it is not Jesus! Are you one of the few travelling the narrow road to life, or one of the many on the broad road who will go lost in the end?
     Let's take a look at the word strive. Jesus tells us to strive to enter by the narrow door. Now we aren't used to words like "strive", or "be diligent", or "make every effort." We are told that is is easy. "Just believe." All that is necessary is to quickly slip up a hand and quickly lower it. Then we all repeat a prayer so no one is singled out. It takes little effort, no real depth of commitment, and no embarrassment. Thousands of souls, perhaps millions, are swept through the wide gate in this manner. They have no real concept of their souls desperate need; they do not understand their true depravity, and thus they do not diligently seek to enter in by the narrow gate. But Jesus tells us to strive! What does He mean? The Amplified Bible uses the phrase "Force yourselves through it." This speaks of seriousness, going after something with a wholehearted commitment. There is only one way, and according to the words of Jesus, it is a way difficult to enter, requiring much effort on our part! You see, many people have a twinge of regret, a moment of conviction, a sleepless night, perhaps a dread of what awaits them in eternity, but they are content for the moment to say a quick prayer, maybe make some resolutions, and go back to the way they were. They are halfhearted, insincere, and do not really desire to make their peace with God. If they were sincere, they would make every effort to be reconciled to God, but they are more than willing to appease their consciences with a little fire insurance, a band aide instead of the radical heart surgery that the gospel demands. For many, church membership, or some tradition they uphold is good enough for them. They have been baptized as infants, or partake regularly of the sacraments, so they convince themselves that they are right with God. Others believe that they are basically good people. They look at their lives in an abstract manner, and hope that the good will be good enough when they stand before God. They are performing good works without the commitment to Christ that the gospel requires. Are you one of the many?
     Jesus demands repentance (Mark 1:15), yet many are not willing to forsake their sin. They want to continue living as they always have, desiring some forgiveness perhaps, but unwilling to give up that which separates them from God and damns their souls to an eternal hell. Yet if we truly understood that sin has ruined us for eternity, it has separated us from God, and even worse, grieved the heart of God, would we not be more than willing to forsake it, to leave it all behind and give ourselves wholly to Christ?
     Many are unwilling to obey Jesus. He says that those who love Him will obey His commands (John 14:21-24). Their are multitudes of professed believers who will not submit to the Lordship of Jesus. They keep a "pet sin", they will not obey one of Jesus' commands. Jesus asks us "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, ad do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). Jesus has warned us that not everyone who claims Him as Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt 7:21-23). Only those who obey Him will enter. To refuse to obey is to refuse to submit; it is nothing more than rebellion. Rebellion will leave you outside of the kingdom, yet many believe that they are saved, all the while they are living in disobedience to the commands of Jesus.
     What about following Jesus? It is a popular thing to "add" Jesus to your life. He can be your "life coach." If you just accept Him, he will help you make good decisions, perhaps straighten things up a bit in your life. This appeals to thousands of deceived people. What does Jesus say however?  "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it." (Matt 16:24-25 NASB). According to Jesus, it is not about you at all! He calls us to follow Him at all costs. Deny yourself, take up your cross, losing your lives, are concepts that do not appeal to a carnal crowd, yet Jesus demands that we give up ourselves completely; to lose ourselves for His sake. Our lives are no longer our own if we have surrendered to Christ. We no longer have the option to live for ourselves, merely adding Jesus to our already crowded agendas. He calls us to forsake it all; to renounce ourselves, and live for Him. Just as a defeated army does not decide the terms of their surrender, so also the sinner seeking pardon does not decide on what terms he will come to God. Cross bearing and self denial require effort! It is a hard thing to humble yourself; to give up your plans, dreams, purposes, your all. Jesus says "Strive to enter."
     Following Christ will bring trials and persecution into your life. Jesus warns us that if we are ashamed of Him in this wicked world, He will be ashamed of us (Mark 8:38). Yet how many so called Christians will compromise truth, or just keep quiet about their faith, so as not to upset people or ruffle feathers? The Anabaptist Christians of the 15th century believe that as they entered the narrow gate, they left their skin clinging to the posts as they squeezed through. Indeed, thousands of them suffered persecution and death for their faith. They were unwilling to keep silent. Their faith in Jesus compelled them to follow Him even unto the death. They knew full well that if they renounced the formal religion of the day, to follow Christ, they would end up paying for it with their lives. Painfully, through many tribulations, they entered into life (Acts 14:22).
     The question is, "Are you one of the many?" Many have settled for an easy faith, a comfortable road, a spiritual journey with no cross, no convictions, at no cost. Jesus has called us to a hard road full of trials and tribulations, a road of self denial, a path of total surrender, of diligence and effort, and of wholehearted obedience. He says, "Strive to enter."