Strive to enter

The Christian life has a beginning - we do not just 'live' it. There is a road to heaven, and we must enter it. There are obstacles to entry, and Jesus urges us to overcome them. Partly, these are the difficulties that may meet us on the road - 'the narrow way'. Christianity is exclusive in the sense that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, and we must walk in his way or not reach heaven. The entry is by God's mercy alone - we must humble ourselves and acknowledge our sin. It is through the new birth alone - we are dependent on the Spirit of God even to start life as a Christian. It is through Christ alone - we can only enter through faith in his blood to cleanse us from all sin. It is through repentance alone - we must renounce all known sin, turning in sincerity to God, believing there is mercy for us in Christ and attempting to live according to his Word. As we walk on the way we must die to self - 'not my will but yours be done'. It must be by the Spirit of God - he alone can enable us to keep God's commands. In the way we will have Christ's care, and that is the result of the Father's love for us. Christ warns us by telling of others who thought they were on the road to heaven only to find they were not. There will be opposition from other people who do not want us to follow Christ. Our own sin is hostile to this venture - 'the carnal mind is enmity against God'. So Jesus tells us, 'Strive to enter'.