Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
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21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
This word of Jesus, expressing that few would be saved, along with His warning of false prophets that follows, and His assertion before the chapter is over that may people of faith would be lost, is meant to get attention. It is a warning. It is designed to make people take care in the matter of salvation, so as not to be unnecessarily lost.
Later, someone asked Jesus, “Lord, are there few that be saved?” He responded by saying, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (Luke 13:23-26). Again, in this Gospel account, the words of Jesus strike with warning. The word, strive, means to endeavor with strenuous zeal. The strait gate (literally, narrow or hindered gate) conveys the fact that salvation is not accomplished without rigor. Surrender is difficult and the tenets of salvation are precise and unyielding. Jesus said that unless a person is born again, he cannot be saved (John 3:5; fulfilled in Acts 2:38). Those words should provoke diligence.
What’s additionally surprising is that the Matthew and Luke accounts involve people who knew the divine presence and experienced miracles.
Had the inversion of Christ’s statements been His declaration, that is, that most people would be saved and only a few would be lost, a believer might assume he’s pretty assured of eternal life. But, as it’s written, one could almost expect the opposite. Hence, the effectiveness of the warning to an interested and thoughtful soul— take heed in salvation matters.
Salvation is literally a salvaging of the lost human race. It is usually the case when salvaging is the goal that most is presumed destroyed. Usually little is salvageable. Paul said in his own time that only a remnant was saved, making it clear that salvation of humanity is not on a grand scale (Romans 11:5), though the endeavor certainly is. That is heart-breaking and brings us deep distress, but it is something we have to strongly consider and respond to appropriately, the best response being to make our calling and election sure, beginning with the all-important plan of salvation.
What Jesus expressed is a very unpopular idea in our day. Many resist the idea that only a few will be saved and that many people of faith will be lost. But ignoring the fact only verifies it. We do well to give heed to this reality and act accordingly, both with regard to ourselves and others, upon whom, with prayer, we may have influence.