Why do some fail to enter the gate of heaven?
The gate of heaven is very attractive and appealing because of where it leads. As of Abraham and those of old, we are all travelers going from time to eternity. But, before entering a road, we should be sure it leads to our desired destination because many miss the right road and instead travel the road that seems right. This is a terrible tragedy but as Solomon said, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12). And, many are not willing to pay the price of the road that is narrow and filled with obstacles (Matt. 7:13-14). Instead, they will follow the crooked road yet at the same time, they also want that crooked road, that is made with flowery beds of ease, to also carry them off to heaven.
You know, some have no burning desire to go there. Some by their practice, as in the days of Jeremiah were, “. . . defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.” Seeking other gods of whatever will not get one to heaven. However, the Lord said, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart” (Psa. 119:1-2). We must have a pure heart if we are to see God (Matt. 5:8).
Sadly, some just want to have a fire escape to heaven, just in case they need it. Instead of seeking God with the heart, they do not strive at all. They do not strain every nerve as an athlete does in a contest (2 Tim. 2:5). Instead, many are more interested in other things, or other people, like Peter. It is ironic how people can become so focused on Peter or other people, that they forget Jesus. It was said before when, “Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (Jn. 21:21-22). Like the man in the text of Lk. 13:22-28 wanted to know if many were saved, we too need to make sure that we are doing what we must to be saved.
The only problem is that many are not seeking and striving diligently (Lk. 15:3-9). They are not seeking until they find (Lk. 15:8-10), they are not seeking diligently until they find (Lk. 15:11). The do not see the importance and they fail because they do not make sufficient preparation (Matt. 25:1-13). Instead, they procrastinate, they put it off, they wait too late. Perhaps, on their deathbed, terminally ill and unable to function well, they want to turn their life over to God and start obeying. But God said, “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:” (Prov. 1:24-28).
There will be a lot of disappointed people at the wondrous gate (Matt. 7:21-23). Are you willing to pay the price to do His will? You know, the tragedy of all tragedies would be to hear the judge of the world say to you, your husband, your wife, your son or daughter, “depart from me to walk the burning soil of eternal damnation forever and forever.” We don’t have to hear this. Let us be prepared. Let us walk strait and encourage others to do the same because none of us have to fail to enter the gate of Heaven. It is there waiting for us to enter in and I pray that we will all be there together.