The longer I am in ministry, the more keenly I become aware of how few people are truly saved.
Of course, I cannot know for certain whether someone is truly saved. Only the Lord knows that. However, I can read the signs and look at the fruit to see whether the root is good. Besides, it is my calling to warn, correct, and encourage the people to continue on in their faith.
I’ve come to realize that not all who attend church faithfully are saved. Not even those who seem to be genuinely zealous for the Lord. Unfortunately, many of the people that seemed so zealous for the Lord years ago are not anywhere near the realm of faith today. Therefore, I am not going to assume that those who are zealous for the Lord today are genuinely so.
“Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:23
What is making the door narrow? Jesus is certainly not suggesting that we must try harder than everyone else to enter the kingdom of heaven. Salvation is not through our own effort. But I believe what He means is that not many who initially thought to have entered will remain on the same path. Many will drop out. And only a few will have been saved.
The strongest evidence that we are saved is that we are still striving to keep on the path of faith. The sign that God is holding onto us is that we are holding onto Him. He enables our grip to keep on holding onto Him.
Don’t lose your grip on Him. Make your salvation sure by keep on holding onto Him.
PH