How many people will be in heaven?

Luke 13:23 “Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved…..”

Jesus answer to this man’s question follows in verse 24 and there are a number of things about the Lord’s answer that demand our attention today. It is impressive that Jesus did not give a direct answer to the man’s question. He did not say yes or no and neither did he quote any kind of number. Now, when you think about it, it is not really a matter of how many will be saved but rather, who will be saved and will I be one of them.

His answer: “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” With all my heart, I believe we should agonize over this matter of being saved. We must be earnest in our pursuit of being saved and must strain with every nerve, making an earnest effort to enter the strait gate that leads to life everlasting. Here is the difference: Striving versus just seeking, straining every nerve versus just trying, doing our best versus just making an attempt. A profession of faith may sound good and it may even soothe a guilty conscience but do not err in thinking that the Lord does not know exactly what is in our heart (Jer. 17:10, 1 Chron. 28:9, Rev. 2:23). He knows whether our faith is genuine or only something from our lips (Matt. 15:8).

Many people are going to come short of the glory of heaven because they only make a weak, lazy effort to achieve that goal. It does seem that many have the attitude not of “how much can I do” but “how little can I do” and one day be at home in heaven. Make no mistake here, entering that strait gate requires that we do all we can to enter in. We cannot work part-time and make it. There will be no mark down prices, no bargain basements. Making it into and through that strait gate will be achieved only through a mountain of care, pain, difficulty and diligence on our part. It will require that we deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus wherever his footsteps take us (Matt. 16:24, 1 Pet. 2:21, Rom. 12:1-2). Sometimes the road we travel is going to be smooth and easy, sometimes it is going to rough and treacherous and always there will be an adversary throwing fiery darts, constantly seeking to devour us (1 Pet.5:8, Eph. 6:16).

One day Jesus encountered two blind men who begged him to have mercy on them. Jesus asked them if they believed that he was able to do what they asked, to which they replied, “Yea Lord”. Jesus reply to them is truly   remarkable, “According to your faith, be it unto you” (Matt. 9:27-30). I wonder, when you stand in judgment pleading for entry into the heavenly portal, should the Lord say the same to you, “According to your faith, be it unto you”, where do you think you would spend eternity based on the faith you now exhibit in not only word but in deeds also (James 2:14-20).

Charles Hicks