Strive to Enter the Narrow Gate Like an Olympian

What Does It Mean to Strive for Salvation?

Many people assume they have plenty of time to think about their salvation. Others assume they are already safe because of what they believe or where they go to church. But Jesus was once asked a direct question: how many will actually be saved? His answer is not comfortable and it is urgent: how do we strive to enter the narrow gate? We know our works don't gain us Heaven.

In Luke 13:23 a person asks Jesus whether many will be saved or not. In Jewish tradition the belief was that very few people would be, but Jesus doesn't answer his question in the abstract; He answers it specifically. Jesus responds in Luke 13:25,

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able."

I was immediately struck by His use of the word 'strive'. The word strive means to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something. The word used here in Greek harkens back to the practice and effort put into participating in Olympic Games.

To prepare for the Olympics, participants would train for months or years. Winning was the only goal. They endured extremely difficult physical preparation, dietary and lifestyle changes, and also prepared their minds. They believed a strong body required a strong mind.

The Danger of Passive or Superficial Faith

When we think of our Christian life and living for Jesus, do we often imagine striving for a goal? Or do we think that simply agreeing that being a Christian is a nice thing and Jesus was a great guy? Perhaps people look at Christianity and think they might check into it one day, but that day never comes. There is little sense of urgency and even less sense that striving is a necessity.

Or perhaps they are faithful churchgoers who believe, wrongly, that mere church attendance will assure them Heaven. As Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges puts it, "they wish for Heaven, but will not abandon earth." This is not simply a suggestion to try harder as Jesus immediately shows us what happens when that striving is absent.

The Narrow Gate, False Assurance, and Final Rejection

Many people might try to rush into the gate at the last moment but will find they can't get in and then it is shut, never to open again. He continues the story with the people at the gate calling to Him, "Lord, Lord," and saying that they had been there when He ate and drank and taught in their streets.

The people "knew" Him and yet never really knew Him because their hearts were unchanged. And so, sadly, He tells them “I do not know you… depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.” Scripture makes it clear that this narrow gate, or door, as He is referred to in John 10, is Jesus Himself. To understand why they are turned away, we need to look more closely at what Jesus means by “iniquity."

What Is Iniquity and Why It Leads to Judgment

Let's pause for a moment and look at that word "iniquity". We often think it is synonymous with sin but it isn't. Where sin is missing the mark of God's perfection, iniquity is a premeditated willful rebellion that is ongoing.

Sin can happen intentionally or unintentionally but iniquity is always intentional. Iniquity is sin but not all sin is iniquity. David's sin with Bathsheba was an example of iniquity.

And so these workers of iniquity will weep and gnash their teeth when they find themselves unable to enter Heaven. The weeping will be because of their great sorrow for not being able to be where they thought they belonged and gnashing of teeth represents their rage and hostility for being excluded.

They thought their own morality would gain them Heaven. In Acts 7:54 those surrounding Stephen gnashed their teeth as he witnessed for Christ, which resulted in them stoning Stephen to death to silence him. He was "full of faith and power." Are we? This warning hits hard, doesn't it? But praise God—Jesus immediately shows us the other side: while some who presumed on their place are shut out, the door swings wide for those who truly seek Him, no matter where they come from.

A Surprising Reversal and the Urgency to Respond Now

Instead of the self-righteous who felt no need to strive or work for Christ, people will come from all over the world, some of the least expected, and "sit down in the kingdom of God." Those who assumed they were first in His kingdom will become last.

Even the Old Testament warns us to "seek the Lord while He may be found" (Isaiah 55:6). Isaiah 49:8 tells us "in an acceptable time I have heard thee." 2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us not to "receive the grace of God in vain." The narrow way is open to us now but for how long we do not know.

Why We Fail to Strive—and What True Effort Requires

But why do we not strive for Christ as we should? Is it because becoming a Christian is portrayed as so easy there is absolutely nothing we have to do after that decision? Don't misunderstand. We never earn our salvation. But Christ expects to see a changed heart when we say we live for Him. With that warning in mind, the question turns back on us.

Isn't living for Christ at least as important as the Olympic Games? My excuse when I fail to strive is that I say, "Well, I am just not a disciplined person and never have been." So what am I saying to God by this? I am saying, in effect, that I don't think He can change my heart enough for me to be disciplined, either that, or I must not think discipline is that important.

Paul uses yet another Olympic analogy when he talks about running a race. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul says to run the race as one who wants to win. He explains that when they run the race in the Olympics they exercise self-control, they are disciplined, as we read earlier. Paul says he disciplines his body to bring it under control. Our rewards will be given to us by Christ Himself, no mere mortal prize or crown, but a crown in glory.

How to Strive to Enter the Narrow Gate

If we are not disciplined here, we will not stand. So in the real world how do we discipline our body? How do we exercise self-control? We must remain steadfast in prayer. This means not an occasional nod to our Lord for things we want but an intense time of thoughtful, focused, relationship building prayer. Prayer where we don't just talk but we listen as well.

Bible study is not optional either, because it helps us learn self control. In Psalm 119:11 the psalmist tells us he has "hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Knowing God's Word arms us against sin. The more we are in the Word the more we will recognize God's will in our lives.

We must learn to control our bodies. How much and what we eat, what we see with our eyes, what we listen to with our ears, where our feet take us, how hard we work, and how tamed our tongue is, all influence us either for God or against God. Jesus goes one step further. He tells us we must go so far as to "die to self."

All the things we want must be put aside unless they align with God's will. It may seem unfair. We may think, "Well those people get to do this or that and I never do." But He tells us to "count the cost" of discipleship before we make that decision. What spiritual blessings await His faithful saints! And part of the reason this striving is so necessary is because we are not striving in a neutral environment.

We strive for another reason. We have enemies that never let up. These enemies contend against us at all times: the world, the flesh, and the Devil. The Devil seeks to kill, steal, and destroy those who love Jesus. He prowls the world looking for those He can devour. To strive here means to agonize as if it is life or death, which it is.

In our flesh we could never fight this battle, but Jesus has given us His Holy Spirit who empowers us to live for Him. We strive against sin and we strive for the truth. This kind of striving is not temporary; it continues for a lifetime.

The fact that we strive shows that we are His. Our faith is there to do the good works that God has called us to for His glory. 2 Peter 1:5 describes the importance of being a diligent Christian, one who is hardworking and unrelenting in doing the will of God. Hebrews 4:11 tells us "to be diligent to enter that rest." We do not give up when the going gets tough because Christ strengthens us; we can be tougher than the world, because He lives in us.

As Jesus says in Matthew 10:22, "he who endures to the end will be saved." You have the ability to endure because you ARE saved. No matter the persecution, rejection or ridicule you will endure because you belong to Him and you strive because of that. That is why Jesus so often connects striving with watchfulness.

Jesus Commands Us to Watch

Jesus frequently commanded us to Watch! What are we watching for? We are watching our own lives to see if we are ready to meet Him. We are watching to find ways to show love to others. We are watching to be ready to strive and not give up, no matter what difficulties come our way. We are watching our lives and diligently guarding ourselves against sin that wants to destroy us. We strive because we love Him.

So let's not be among those who assume they have plenty of time or who think mere agreement is enough. Jesus is still asking: Will you strive to enter the narrow gate—today? Because the door is open now, and we strive because we love the One holding it wide for us.