Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He replied, “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’ [Luke 13.22-27]
Obviously, Jesus had not read the Apostle Paul's writings about God's grace (Ephesians 2.8-9 in particular).
Let me just say this: the easy gospel so many preach today, wishfully based upon the Apostle Paul's writings, is heresy. Jesus never preached it.
In fact, the Apostle Paul never preached the easy gospel either. However, like all the rest of Scripture, people have made Paul's writings mean what they want them to mean and not what the Scriptures actually teach in their fullness.
If Jesus said we must "work hard" to enter God's Kingdom, then, by His Word - the Word of God, it will be so. And, Luke's account of this above is not just some isolated account of this either...
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]
Am I suggesting then that we must "work" for salvation? Not in the least! However, as Jesus noted over and again (even in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading), there will be evidence of God in our lives just as it was with Him:
Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work. But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.” [John 10.37-38]
If Jesus said, "Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work" then why should we expect anyone to believe our confession of faith unless we carry out our Father's work? The "Father's work" on earth is the same for us as it was for Jesus:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]
Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]
Jesus described His works elsewhere:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]
When it comes to their faith, people often resignedly tell me, "God knows my heart" as if that emotional wishful thinking relieves them from the responsibility Jesus clearly defined for His followers to live and walk in the same faith He demonstrated. Of course God knows your heart! And, He doesn't have to look deep to see it because what you do shows what it is in your heart! Are you doing the works of Jesus clearly described in Luke 4.18-19? Does your life have the evidence of the miraculous works Jesus did? Are you living in faith that says, "Give me God or give me nothing!"?
How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us. [Hebrews 11.32-40]
The life of faith is one of power: NOT ONLY the power to overcome BUT ALSO the power to refuse to relent - even to the point of death. Again, "Give me God, or give me nothing!"
People today mockingly claim 'faith in God' then turn right straight to lenders, insurance agents, doctors and worldly conveniences as if their man-made solutions are the fulfillment of their faith. The debt, insurance, medicine and technology they claim are 'God's way of providing' are the same solutions non-believers - even God-haters - turn to for solutions. They are idols.
All the while, it is not in the best interest of a single one of these industries (debt, insurance, medicine and technology) to actually "solve" problems, but give just enough respite to keep their subjects coming back for more. Follow the money.
The easy gospel finds convenient cover then in the man-made idols of the world because "evident miraculous works" are not really necessary as long as the expensive interest, premiums, prescriptions and the gadgetry are all paid for. Once again, follow the money. Otherwise, miracles would need to happen... And, don't EVEN claim "miracle" when debt, insurance, medicine and technology have been involved as, in context of the Second Commandment about idols, doing so is a blatant violation of the Third Commandment:
You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.7]
Well, now we are in an uncomfortable position, huh? I very much include myself in this indictment.
The "work" every believer is called to starts with faith in Jesus Christ:
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [Ephesians 2.8-9]
The "work" every believer is called to then continues in faith:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]
While the "work" Jesus calls us to is indeed difficult, it is not impossible. However, it will only take place when our faith in Jesus transcends our faith in ourselves (and our idols) in any regard. Selflessly declaring "Give me God, or give me nothing!" is the only platform upon which we may effectively stand for His Kingdom in honor of the First Commandment:
You must not have any other god but me. [Exodus 20.3]
As you read this article, the sad truth is, you will be part of the vast majority if you disagree with what is said here. Is that where you want to be?
Not me.
Father, I don't want an easy gospel. While I humbly thank You for Jesus and the free gift of eternal life, I do so with the sober understanding that my life MUST show (prove) that I have received that gift by walking in evident faith. I want to be part of the "few." Forgive me for being content to be part of the crowd. So be it.
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