Day 23 – In the Villages: How Many Will Be Saved?

“Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as He made His way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, ‘Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”’ (Luke 13:22-23)

We can never tire of asking this question, can we?

This last presidential election raised the question once again. The golden Trump has put that question before us again – so here’s my question for today “Is so and so a real Christian?” Or what is a real Christian?

You can fill in the “so and so” yourself because the question has been asked to every candidate. But as Jesus’ reply makes clear, the issue is less “will so and so be in heaven?” but “will I be in heaven?” Before we get too focused on the salvation of certain public figures (a laudable concern, to be sure), first take a look at the man in the mirror. That’s what He means when He says, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door” (v. 24). Before we get so judgmental about anyone else, let me make sure we have responded in saving faith to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The door of salvation will not be open forever, and many religious types will find themselves left out on the last day (vv. 25-28). But verse 29 gives us some good news that a vast crowd from every tribe and every from nation will come to Christ and will one day stand before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9). The “last” will be first (v. 30) are those who today seem to be very unlikely candidates for salvation, and the “first” who will be last are those self-satisfied religionists who think their religion somehow substitutes for a genuine knowledge of Christ.

We must understand that everyone we worship with is not going to heaven. Please remember that You are in the sales department and not in the administration department. Let us be careful about passing final judgement on who will and won’t be in heaven.

God is able to handle that all by Himself.

The question is, have you trusted Christ to be your Lord and Savior?

And remember that God’s family is much bigger than we can imagine.

Father, we thank you that You have the whole world in Your hands. Thank You for Your Son who has made a way for anyone, anywhere, and at any time to be received by Him.