Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:23-24

In Part 1, we explored entering the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21-23) and entering into the presence of God (Hebrews 10:19-22). Striving to enter the kingdom of heaven requires a heart that desires, seeks, and submits to the will of God. Striving to enter into His presence involves inviting God’s inspection of our heart, desiring to hear His voice, resisting the influence of our enemies, receiving His blessing in baptism, and presenting ourselves for His use.

As you can see, these are not active in the sense of working, or the application of human strength. They are more like attitudes or postures of the heart – a leaning in, we might say. That being said, it is important to recognize these attitudes are not passive responses to God’s will. They are attitudes we strive to develop and maintain. I am reminded that God has put a desire in our heart for everything He commands and has promised to give those desires to the children who surrender and commit their way to Him (Psalm 37:4-5).

Here, we will explore several of the thirty-two New Testament passages which reference eternal life, that we might further understand God’s intention for our entering in.

Striving to Enter into Eternal Life

Each of the following passages should challenge both mental paradigms and heart-held beliefs. Why? Because, as much as we hear and learn about it, eternal life remains a mystery on this side of heaven. Therefore, as you consider them, try to do so with an open mind and heart. Ask God for more understanding and faith.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:14-16

By far the most recognized and cherished passage on eternal life, John 3:14-16 sets the foundation for understanding and exercising the “striving to enter” God requires. Simply put, the Son of Man does the heavy lifting. We have but to believe in Him to have eternal life.

However, we must exercise belief from the heart, not from our head. In fact, it is with the heart that man believes (Romans 10:10). Mental assent will not get us there. We must resist our carnal mind’s attempts to usurp the heart’s favored status with God. We must strive to shift from faith in our head to dependence on our heart.

Then He will answer them, saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Matthew 25:45-46

Again, we are reminded of Romans 10:10 – For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. The righteous become so through faith (by grace), “and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).” As strange as it sounds, striving is also receiving the many gifts God has graciously offered His children. The gift on the table must be laid hold of (Philippians 3:12).

Many will recognize this passage as the Parable of the Sheep and Goats. In it, we are reminded that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-24). It’s important and encouraging to recognize and believe that ministry to the least of these is also by grace, through faith. It is the good work of God created for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10).

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” John 6:53-56

And now we come to one of the most challenging instructions on eternal life Jesus has shared with us. From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more (John 6:66). Let’s not make the same mistake. We know at least the twelve remained with Him; let’s do that!

Of course we know, from the rest of the story, Jesus was speaking of Holy Communion – another sacrament of God commanded by the Lord. Like all other sacraments, God uses Communion to do something intentional for His children. In the sacrament of Communion, He abides us into Christ, and Christ into us.

Stop and think about that for a moment. The abiding of branch into Vine – that it might bear much fruit – is accomplished in Communion. Personally, I think God abides us further into Christ, and vice versa, every time we take Communion as we should.

Understanding Communion as an exercise in abiding, Paul warned the Corinthians to do so reverently (1Corinthians 11:17-22). Indeed, we must strive to be enter into the presence of God with “a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).” We explored this in Part 1.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27-28

And finally, we circle back to our relationship with the Great Shepherd, whose sheep strive to enter into eternal life by listening for His voice and following Him. What else would good and wise sheep do?

Conclusion

Striving to enter into eternal life requires:

1. Shifting from faith in our head to dependence on our heart;
2. Receiving the gift of faith God graciously offers His children;
3. Ministering to the least of these (by grace, through faith);
4. Receiving Communion (and God’s abiding work in it); and,
5. Hearing and following our Great Shepherd.

Striving to enter is not as hard as it sounds – to either understand or exercise. It should not be a subject we avoid – in either practice or teaching. Let us strive to enter the narrow gate, as we encourage others to join us.

God bless you with desire you cannot resist, to enter into His kingdom, His presence, and the eternal life He so graciously offers.

Have a strong day in the Lord,

Rob (#iamjustthepen)