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In one sense, there is no good works, sacrifice, or religious ritual that we need to do to receive salvation. We can freely receive it through faith (Ep.2:8,9). The only basis on which we receive it is by accepting that there is no way we can be saved except through Jesus taking our punishment when He died on the cross. In this way, salvation is made available to everyone. But we must not forget an entirely different aspect that is involved, without which we cannot experience this salvation.

"Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able" (Lk.13:24). If we believe that Jesus said this, and that He warns us that many will not be able to enter even when they seek to, we need to make sure that we enter, and also that we make it clear to others. If we present the Gospel as bringing health, wealth and freedom from hell, it is no wonder if 'many' seek to enter. But Jesus said that if we presented the narrow door, very few would enter (Mt.7:13,14).

'Strive' used here represents the way someone agonises over reaching a goal, such as an athlete aiming to win the prize. The prize is what motivates him to take all the discipline to train for the race. Perhaps we can split our striving for salvation in two parts, entering into salvation and experiencing its fullness. We are not thinking about earning our salvation by our works, but making sure that we receive salvation by putting ourselves in the group of those who are seeking it.

Who will seek salvation? Those who know they need it. They have become aware that their sins and their sinful nature keep them away from God and eternal life. That is why they seek salvation. Then they hear the good news that a Saviour has prepared it for them and is now waiting for them to ask for it. But the other group of people are not very worried about their condition because they think they are good, religious-minded people whom God will be pleased with. Some say they have been with the right crowd in the right places, and some others say they have done many good things. But what they lack is a conviction that they are sinners who need salvation (Lk.13:26,27:Mt.7:22,23). There is no striving or agonising for salvation.

Some see themselves as sinners and come to Jesus for forgiveness. But then some of them think that their salvation is settled for eternity and then focus on their earthly life. But as Paul began his Christian life after his encounter with Jesus, he saw the sinful tendencies of his old nature opposing the desire of his new nature to always do what was pleasing to God. This made him cry out in agony, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Ro.7:24). He saw that all his life he had to battle the desires of his flesh with what God wanted him to do (Ga.5:17). Now his agony was to make sure that he was victorious in temptations and took part in the divine nature. Check where we stand.

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