Strive (Work) for Salvation

Luke 13:23-24, “Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them; strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able”

Jesus told his listeners that the way to salvation was through a very narrow door and you had to strive or work hard to get through it. Of course when you say the words “work hard for salvation” folks will say something like this… we don’t work for salvation were saved by God’s grace and that’s a free gift!

Of course when talking about salvation God has a part... grace and man has a part... faith. When Jesus said "strive (or work) to enter in through the narrow gate" I believe he was talking about what we do with the seed that is planted in our hearts. Will we reject it, will it grow into just nominal belief or will it turn into phenomenal faith? That's on us... not God.

You definitely can’t earn salvation but the free gift is on the other side of a door and God is not going to drag you through that door… you have to do something… and something more than “seeking to enter in”. Jesus called it striving or working (for a reason) and unashamedly so do I.