Luke 13:22-30 (NIV) - Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 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.' "Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' "But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' "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. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."

Scripture references: Matthew 7:13-23, 25:1-13; Luke 14:25-35

From this parable, I found two separate 'groups.' Both groups may have started on the outside of the house, but some made the effort to enter through the narrow door of the house. The door of the house represents the entrance into the kingdom of God...

Why did some not enter?

In v.27, the owner of the house says, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' Even though those outside may have fellowshipped with the owner and even listened to His teachings, they chose not to act on what was received. They acted contrary to the commands of the owner (the Lord). It was their choice not to make the effort to enter through the door.

What did they have to act on?

The owner's teachings. In Matthew 7:21-23 (see above) there will be those that will not enter into the kingdom of God because they did not do the will of the Father in heaven. Even though some may have worked many miracles, prophesy in His (Jesus') name, and drive out demons, they were identified as evildoers (v.23).

What are we doing?

It is important for us to do the will of God. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we're doing for God that we don't consider if we are following His will (commands). Just because you sell 1,000,000 records or bring 10,000 people to Christ - it doesn't guarantee your entrance into the kingdom of God...ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR! Going to church does not guarantee your entrance into the kingdom of God. Returning to Matthew 7:21-23, the things they were doing are not commonplace in our churches today...and they did not enter...DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER!

It is not enough to say you are a Christian and live how you want. Sadly we know many people that live like this...but don't get it twisted, THIS IS FOR YOU AND ME AS WELL!!! Every day, we must strive to enter through the narrow door.

Count the cost of your decision to follow Christ and strive to give all of yourself to Him (see Luke 14:25-35 above). There are many people lie desolate as unfinished buildings, laying in ridicule for the world to see. They may have found the commandments of the Lord too strict and either turned away or decided to live a compromised lifestyle to satisfy their own desires. THIS IS A WARNING FOR US ALL!

There is a time coming when it will be too late to change. Saints, let's enter through the narrow door and encourage others to do the same...while there is time!

Matthew 24:42-44 (NIV) - "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.