“Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Luke 13.22-30
The question that presents itself is this: “How do we get into Heaven?” It is not a complicated question, yet it has been asked every day for hundreds—if not thousands—of years. “How can I be saved?”
Many search for salvation in money, sex, or material possessions. Sometimes we seek salvation in fame, popularity, or importance. Each generation must search out and discover the answer to the meaning of life. And according to Jesus, in this passage and beyond, the meaning of life is to end up in the Kingdom of God when we die.
So how do we get into Heaven? How must we be saved?
Is it through works or faithful church attendance? Is it through good deeds or right living? Is it through giving all we have to others and thus earning our way to salvation?
No. None of those will lead us to the throne of grace. Jesus said, as did John the Baptist, “Believe in the name of the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Billy Graham wrote a whole book about being “born again” (read John 3), and every sermon he preached centered on the same topic—how to be saved.
To be saved, born again, and have assurance of going to Heaven when you die means simply trusting and believing in Jesus. It is not through written or rote prayers, hymn singing, or taking the sacraments. It is by grace you have been saved, through faith. This means it is up to every individual to turn and submit to Christ. Simply ask Him to take over your life, give Him control, believe that He died on the cross for your sins—and you will be saved.
For some, a simple prayer is helpful:
“Lord Jesus, I love You. I need You to be my Savior. Come into my life. Forgive my sins. I give You my heart.”
When that prayer is prayed, a spiritual transaction—like a covenant—occurs, and God saves the soul. He marks you by the power of His Holy Spirit and writes your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life (see Revelation 21:27).
Are you saved? Have you been born again? What are you waiting for? Join with Christ today and receive His grace into your life. Experience joy today and enjoy the feast in the Kingdom of God when you pass from this earth. Then you will have life—and life abundantly.
“O Lord God, You are good and faithful. Thank You for loving me. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with Your power and grace. Send Your Spirit upon me that I might know You and walk in Your ways. Save me and my friends and family. Help us to submit to You and find peace through Christ. For You are good and Your love endures forever.” Amen.