Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."
Strive here in Luke 13:24 means "to endeavor with strenuous zeal to obtain something (your goal)".
The root word of "strive" is agon, which means struggle against, contend with; from which we get the word 'agonize'. While one definition of agonize is 'to distress/suffer with extreme pain/anguish'. another definition is 'to put forth great effort of any kind'. It is this word that defines what Christ was going through when He prayed in the garden before His trial and crucifixion (Luke 22:44). And again in 1 Timothy 6:12 when the believer 'fights the good fight of faith'.
Are we putting forth great effort to enter the narrow gate? Are we endeavoring, exerting, with strenuous zeal (eagerly desiring, enthusiastic diligence) to obtain that which we desire: entering the strait (narrow passage, isthmus) gate?
We must persevere in our daily walk with Christ to be the kind of Christian, Christ-follower, that God wants us to be. That narrow passage, that strait gate, is only wide enough for one person to enter into at a time. While many walk it, making the decision to follow Christ is done on an individual basis.
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord? A simple question requires a simple response: YES or NO. If you answer YES, then you are already on the holiness road that leads to the strait gate. If you answered NO, then you are walking the broad way that leads to the wide gate which opens into eternal destruction -- Matthew 7:13.
We must Strive, persevere, be determined to trust in the Word of God and follow where He leads us. We cannot let distractions lead astray. Have you ever read Pilgrim's Progress? Great read.
Being a Christian isn't easy. It's not supposed to be. But every decision to be Christ-like is worth the effort when we choose to believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
