6. Are There Few That Be Saved?

My Heart's Desire
Maynard A. Force
Chapter 6

Are There Few That Be Saved?

Luke 13:23
The question was once asked Jesus, "Are there few that be saved?'' This is one of the most solemn questions ever asked. Only Jesus is qualified to give the correct answer. He answered the question by saying, strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able'' (Luke 18:24). Perhaps the one who asked the question remembered that out of the great population at the time of the Flood only eight people were saved. Perhaps he also remembered that out of the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah only three people escaped destruction. Therefore the question, "Are there few that be saved?''

From Jesus' answer, we are told, that the lost are referred to as "many" "Many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able." God's people have always been in the minority. Once Jesus said, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom'' (Luke 12:32). Again He said, "Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straightened the way that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it'' (Matthew 7. 13-14). Notice, Jesus makes it clear that many are on the road to destruction, and few enter the gate that leads unto life. How sad that Jesus had to answer the question as He did!

We also notice that many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able. These are religious people who know about the Lord, for the day will come that they will cry out "Lord, open to us'' (v. 25). They address Him as Lord. They will even say "We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets.'' To this pitiful cry the only answer will be, "I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me'' (v. 27). These lost souls had heard the pure preaching of God's Word. They even knew the door that leads to eternal life, for they came and knocked there. They did not openly despise the Lord, but rather sought "to enter in" They had the head knowledge, but lacked a heart experience. They had been fellowshipping with real Christians, and had tried to imitate them to the best of their ability. Perhaps others thought they were real Christians. There was a concern in their heart for eternal things, but they never got beyond the class of the seekers.

This group that numbered "many" never took care of the sin problem in their lives. They never got to the place where with the Psalmist they could joyfully testify, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom Jehovah imputeth not iniquity'' (Psalm 32:1). When they claimed entrance to heaven, not a word was said about the blood of Christ. There was no "broken and contrite heart'' in them. Rather, they had lofty thoughts of themselves, for their cry was, "Lord, open to us.'' Their emphasis was not on "Lord," but rather on "us." They had been able to "get by'' with their sins until they stood at the judgment seat. There they learned the truth of the verse, "Be sure your sin will find you out'' (Numbers 32. 23). What a terrible time to be caught with sin!

Jesus' answer still holds true for our day. "Many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able." In this age also there are few that are saved. That is not God's fault, for He would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth'' (1 Timothy 2:4). Christ "died for all'' (2 Corinthians 5:15), and He said, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out'' (John 6:37). This, then, is the day for seekers to become finders. This is the time to cry out in the words of the Psalmist, "Have mercy upon me, 0 God, according to thy loving-kindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin'' (Psalm 51:1-2).