Luke 13: 23-24 “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. “
VERSUS
Galatians 2: 16 “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”
How do we balance verses like these, or anytime verses in scripture seems to contradict? Well first, we recognize that balance is what’s needed for understanding, peace, and unity so we don’t worry of teaching or following God’s truth incorrectly, nor worry our brother’s and sisters with contrary views and information where us or the other may not yet know both sides and their harmony, and how our misunderstandings could be cleared up with grace and truth.
Imbalance in this topic can leave us asking, “How much work is there to get on the narrow way to life?”. We don’t want to center only on passages of scripture that command us to “strive to enter”, and yet forget where God’s taught that justification isn’t of works of the law. Neither do we want to lead people to rest in faith yet forget passages like James 2:20 “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”
God doesn’t want us to be confused about this matter, rather for us to: 2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
— So, let’s do just that, and acknowledge both undertoning messages, and keep them entirely in context, and figure out exactly how much work it takes to get on the “Narrow Way” to life. It is a question worth wrestling with and answering.
What scriptures make us think salvation is of works?
Romans 2:6-11
[God, who] “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.
1st Corinthians 3:9-15
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
Galatians 6:4-8
“But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
The correlation of works and faith, and God’s priority and power in the heart (through Christ).
Scripture truly calls us to good works in Christ. God commands us to no longer be workers of iniquity, which came through ignorance and disbelief, but to believe, walk in the light which naturally bears fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:15-19
“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.”
But without Christ, no amount of good works can justify us. And Christ holding us, and God loving us, is not dependant on how well the work of our hands build. Rather it’s all about our renewed heart, and where it’s placement stands. It’s about trusting Christ, the cornerstone and sure foundation on which we can safely stand and build, through faith. In a heart that’s been set free by Christ, THE path of life, THE doctrine of salvation, we follow His commandments from a place of love and desire (1 John 5:3), from a sanctified and being sanctified heart, that God has grounded. Salvation is about God’s work in us. It’s about His faithfulness, truth, and hope being alive, as He has stated. It’s about Him choosing to know us, and so waking our faith to know Him.
Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”
1st Timothy 6:11-12
“But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.“
Hebrews 3:1-14
“And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. 2 For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house.
3 But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. 4 For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.
5 Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. 6 But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.
7 That is why the Holy Spirit says,
“Today when you hear his voice,
8 don’t harden your hearts
as Israel did when they rebelled,
when they tested me in the wilderness.
9 There your ancestors tested and tried my patience,
even though they saw my miracles for forty years.
10 So I was angry with them, and I said,
‘Their hearts always turn away from me.
They refuse to do what I tell them.’
11 So in my anger I took an oath:
‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”
12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.
The Sufficiency of Faith
It all begins and ends with faith.
Faith is how we hold tight to the things to come. It’s how we stand in trials when we’re tested to reject God and pride in sin, lusts of the eyes, our flesh, and life.
We glorify God with our life by faith. The thief on the cross honored God by faith (Luke 23:39-43). He believed Christ was holy, and that he was under just condemnation unlike Jesus. He believed their was a coming kingdom to seek more than the pride of life. He denied himself, and repented of sin. He was humbled before the truth, and confessed it.
1 John 1:8-9
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
God wants an upright heart not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). Our works are as filthy rags before God (Isaish 64:6). One confession of faith is all it takes! If your confession is comprehended and not mindlessly stated (as no one can truly say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit – 1stCor.12:3) then God will have filled you with His Holy Spirit, that will confirm you and live inside you, giving you new desires, so that you naturally forsake the old as the Spirit teaches you more and more. You can’t bear fruit of your own!… Do not deny God. Hear His Gospel and receive it, lest you seek to make his sacrifice void. Call on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved from sin and it’s wages (Romans 10: 1-13)!
John 15:4-11
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. “
Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.””
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
• Who’s work are you trusting in? Do you see God’s work on your behalf? This is about fellowship. Do you see God’s redeeming love?
• You can only be justified by faith. By faith we see God. By faith we live for God. By faith we find peace in Christ. Faith is a gift from God that we receive by faith. When you believe, you are already walk on the narrow way, in the finished work of Christ.