STRIVING + DOOR = ACCESS
Susan Murray
Today’s Scripture: “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:24, ESV
Theme: Keep stretching, improving, and seeking God through the process.
STRIVING
We are all striving for something, whether we realize it or not. We work hard to obtain our definition of a good life, so that we will feel satisfied and happy. Success brings a sense of value and worthiness. Failure leaves us feeling worthless in the eyes of others and ourselves.
DOORS
We pass through many doors. Physical doors to enter our homes and jobs; meta-physical doors of opportunity and privilege. Some we open ourselves and others have to be open for us.
At my home, I can unlock the door and just walk right in. My family can enter the door as well—because of our relationship. Friends knock and the door is quickly opened, inviting them in. For a thief the door is locked and secure; he is not invited in.
The doors into the White House’s Oval Office are closed to me. Entrance comes only by invitation and with the right credentials. Likewise, admittance into the Hall of Fame comes to professional athletes who have the doors open to them due to their successes on the field or court, earning that invitation. A college student striving to get high grades rightfully earns a degree, opening doors of opportunity that would not be open otherwise. In these cases, the doors were opened by their performance, earning them the right to enter that door. Not all athletes or students measure up in their performance to gain those credentials.
FAITH STRIVES FOR A DIFFERENT DOOR
In Luke 13:24, we are told to strive to enter a narrow door. The Greek word for narrow could be more accurately interpreted as “strait,” which implies difficulty, as in saying; “He was in dire straits.” Waterways that narrow between land masses are called straits. It implies being squeezed. Matthew 7:13-14 states that the narrow door or gate in this passage is hard to enter precisely because it feels like being squeezed to death.
Unfortunately, we think that this striving to enter in means more prayer, Bible reading, giving, or serving to feel like we have done enough. We try to “score” sufficient points or “make the grade” so we can enter the narrow door, but this is not the truth. Yes, we do need to practice these disciplines, but not as a measure of our worth. These actions are not to earn acceptance, but as an expression of our gratitude for the grace and acceptance we already possess through Jesus (although we forget so easily).
Our hearts naturally and sinfully strive to measure up by our performance, earning our entrance through that door. It reminds me of the Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19. He asked what HE COULD DO to have eternal life. He had obeyed many of the commandments, but something was missing. Why else would he ask his question? He did seek to enter, but it was way too hard for him because he could not let go of the one thing that he desired the most: his money. He wanted to keep his money more than he wanted Jesus, so he went away sad. He was unable to enter.
True striving is the hard heart effort it takes to resist the heart's desire to hold onto something else, including our performance. Instead, we should be grasping hold of Christ and His performance to measure up and fit through that narrow door. Jesus Himself answered the question when asked; “‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent’” (John 6:28-29, NIV). We can’t add anything else and still fit through the door. Dropping those good works can feel like death, since we base our worth on those things. Yet once we do it, we find true life and freedom.
ACCESS
I recall a picture of John Kennedy, Jr as a small child, playing under President JFK’s desk. He was allowed that privileged access through the door to the most powerful office in the land, maybe the world, not because he earned. He was allowed in just because he was the son of the most powerful man in the USA.
We have this type of access to God, our Father, who is more powerful than any national leader. His kingdom, which is greater than any other earthly rule, is ours... just because we are His children. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (I John 1:3, NIV). We have available to us unconditional love, joy, peace, significance and purpose. Yet we forget this access again and start stiving, trying to work hard and wearing ourselves out, feeling unworthy and trying to justify our lives another way.
In the 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire,” one character, Harold Abrahams, an Olympic runner, was asked why he trained so relentlessly. He answered; “[I have] ten lonely seconds to justify my whole existence.” His life’s satisfaction, significance, and meaning were based on his winning. Yet Eric Liddle, a Christian who trained just as hard, said; “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” These are two very different foundations for living.
How is this access through the narrow door possible? Because Jesus, while on the cross, was shut out so we can be let in. He was rejected so we could be accepted. He left the kingdom so we could enter the kingdom. He laid down His life so we could have life. He is the Door.
Make It Personal: What are you looking to do, or striving to accomplish to prove your life matters? Are you successful, but feel you need to do one more thing? Are you failing and feel crushed? Are you praying and serving to get God’s approval? Or are you practicing these disciplines because you already have God’s approval? Do you feel God’s pleasure? If not, ask Him for it. Be ready to lay down everything else you turn to for a sense of a good life, and I promise His pleasure will become real. Nothing you do that is good will get you through the door and nothing bad you do will keep you out of the door.
Pray: Father, I praise You. You created me and called me to worship and follow You. Truth is, I am dependent on You for real life, but I try to do life in my own self-sufficient way. You call this sin which deserves judgment, whether I succeed or fail in doing it my way. Thank You that through Jesus You have made a new way for me to have real life because of Your unfailing love. Help me to see Jesus’ love for me as more and more of a felt reality than just a concept. I thank You that You save me, no matter my accomplishments or failures.
Read: Philippians 3:8-9; Matthew 7:7-11, 13-14, 21-23; Ephesians 1:13-14, I John 3:19-24
Weekly Memory Verse:
“I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11, ESV