Grace and the Narrow Door

“Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many shall seek to enter in (to the Kingdom of God) and shall not be able to.” (Luke 13:23-30) “For you are saved by grace and not by works” (Eph. 2:8-10) Luke states that entry into the Kingdom of God takes some effort and likens it to passing through a narrow door. Ephesians says that salvation is a free gift that we cannot gain by working for. So how does God’s grace figure in to “working to enter into the narrow door to enter the Kingdom of God?” God’s grace is the door. It is a free gift that gives us access to heaven. We cannot work for to purchase and own the door because it is a free gift. You cannot work for to purchase and own a wife either… she freely gives herself to you. However, some kind of effort needs to be made to go through the door just like effort needs to be made to find a relationship with a wife. - We cannot carry a lot of luggage and fit through the door. We must commit ourselves to living sin free lives. Jealousy and sexual immorality and a lack of compassion will make us too big to fit through the door. - We cannot piggy back and carry in others who don’t belong there. Jesus said we must be willing to dispose of human relationships that might encumber us and hold us back from service to God. Only one person at a time can enter through the door. - The door and grace are not open and available forever. One day Jesus will close it and withdraw the free gift. - Some want to keep one foot inside the door and the other foot in the world. That won’t work either. We must work to enter the door completely while there is time. - There are fake doors. We must choose the right door. Look for God’s grace and when you find it commit yourself fully to entering into it.