Matthew 7:14, Who Shall Be Saved?

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

//Who will be saved? Just how strait is this gate? This is far too great a topic for a simple answer, but it’s a question that lends itself well to the spirit of my blog: that is, raising questions for contemplation. Consider these two contradictory verses:

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. –Romans 10:13

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. –Matthew 7:21

Paul seems to indicate that salvation is available to all who “call upon the name of the Lord”–believe and you’re saved–but Matthew, repeating the words of Jesus, insists this is not so. Matthew warns strenuously about “false prophets” in the world. No, it’s not enough to just call on Jesus. One must actually do something. One must do what God commands. The kingdom of heaven is reserved for “whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them.”

And what must we do, according to Matthew? It turns out that this verse concludes the Sermon on the Mount–Matthew 5, 6 and 7–with its instruction for mercy, for carrying a light, for loving your enemy, and much more. Few there be who enter into this gate.

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