Enter Through the Narrow Door

Luke 13:22-30 – And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 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. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

From this parable, we discover two separate ‘groups.’ Both groups may have started on the outside of the house, but some made the effort to enter through the narrow door of the house. The door of the house represents the entrance into the kingdom of God.

Why did some not enter?

In Luke 13:27, the owner of the house says, ‘I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.’ Even though those outside may have fellowshipped with the owner and even listened to His teachings, they chose not to act on what was received. They acted contrary to the commands of the owner (the Lord). It was their choice not to make the effort to enter through the door.

What did they have to act on?

The owner’s teachings. In Matthew 7:21-23 (see above) there will be those that will not enter into the kingdom of God because they did not do the will of the Father in heaven. Even though some may have worked many miracles, prophesy in His (Jesus’) name, and drive out demons, they were identified as evildoers (Luke 13:23).

What are we doing?

It is important for us to do the will of God. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we’re doing for God that we don’t consider if we are following His will (commands). Just because you sell 1,000,000 records or bring 10,000 people to Christ, it doesn’t guarantee your entrance into the kingdom of God. ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR!

Going to church does not guarantee your entrance into the kingdom of God. Returning to Matthew 7:21-23, the things they were doing are not commonplace in our churches today, and they did not enter. DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER!

It is not enough to say you are a Christian and live how you want. Every day, we must strive to enter through the narrow door.

Count the cost of your decision to follow Christ and strive to give all of yourself to Him (see Luke 14:25-35 above). There are many people lie desolate as unfinished buildings, laying in ridicule for the world to see. They may have found the commandments of the Lord too strict and either turned away or decided to live a compromised lifestyle to satisfy their own desires.

There is a time coming when it will be too late to change. Saints, let’s enter through the narrow door and encourage others to do the same while there is time!

Matthew 24:42-44 – Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

^{Additional scripture references: Matthew 7:13-23, 25:1-13; Luke 14:25-35}

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