Jesus purposely left no wiggle room when it came to the topic of salvation, explaining that the pathway is exclusive, and that path is through Him.
In Matthew 7:13-14 and Luke 13:23-24 we see Jesus saying that "narrow is the gate" and "narrow is the way." So without question Jesus is saying that Christian way is not one that most will follow. In fact, He says that only "a few will find it."
A lot of people speculate about the number of people who will embrace Jesus as the way, but that's not the point God wants us to take away from that scripture. We know from John 3:16 that God's desire is for none to perish but for all to have eternal life. God's desire is clear, His desire is for everyone to be saved.
Let's take an overhead view of the entire third chapter of John. We start with the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling class, who visited Jesus to discuss how he could be saved.
Jesus response to Nicodemus was His explanation that the way is narrow. He then proclaims: “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” From there, the conversation takes a fascinating turn, as Nicodemus naturally seems perplexed, asking Jesus how someone can “be born when they are old,” especially since they “cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born.”
And that’s where Christ fully explains what it means to be “born again” and to embrace the Bible’s “narrow is the way” truths. Here’s what Jesus responded in John 3:5-8 (NIV):
“Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’”
It is here that the narrow path is starting to become clearer, though Nicodemus still struggled to understand. The conversation eventually leads into John 3:16, with Jesus explaining that God sent Him to save mankind, again driving home the “narrow is the gate” and “narrow is the way” reality. And then we see Jesus explaining what will happen if you reject the narrow path to heaven.
“Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.”
Many will seek other avenues to heaven, and will avoid the light because they love the darkness but that doesn't change God's verdict on all of our lives. We are sinners, and our deserved punishment is death. And notice the emphasis Jesus places on our choices. People chose to not believe . . . people instead loved the darkness . . . would not come into the light . . . for fear their deeds will be exposed. See all the ways that they avoided the gift of salvation?
Why do so many reject Jesus as the only Way to the Father?
One reason is because it's one thing to say we believe everything Jesus said in John 3, but it’s an entirely different thing to actually live it out. It's easier to believe that we can just say the sinner’s prayer — accept Jesus, say we love Him, recognize that He died for our sins and move on, without fundamentally changing our worldview or our lives.
But the Bible tells us a different story. The New Testament implores us to seek Christ throughout our lives, to live like Him and to live lives according to God’s will and not our own. Jesus explained it this way, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." He is clearly saying that a life surrendered to God doesn't resemble a one-time prayer experience.
Check out this scripture, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV)
Remember: we serve a God of mercy and redemption; He’s forgiving and loving — but He only offers us one way to restore our relationship with Him. It's a choice that each of us will make - one way or another, but it requires that we realize that “narrow is the gate” and “narrow is the way.” And it requires a radical shift in how we live.
Remember . . .
Satan believes in Jesus - yet he will not be saved. The demons tremble in fear of the power of Jesus - yet they will not be saved. The rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-27) lived a life of complete obedience to the teaching of the scripture and God's commandments and yet Jesus said his failure to give up his possessions and follow Him meant he would not see heaven. There are many who believe that their good deeds will get them into heaven. Belief. Fear of the Lord. Obedience. Studying Scripture. Good deeds.
All good things, but none of these things will save you.
So, how can we be saved?
Did you know the questions, “What must I do to be saved?” (or the equivalent) is asked three times in Acts?
It was asked by the Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2:37). Peter replied: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). The result: “Those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41).
It was asked by Saul of Tarsus (Paul). When he saw the Lord in a vision, he asked, “What shall I do, Lord?” Christ directed him to go into Damascus where he would be told all things appointed for him to do (Acts 22:10). After three days of Saul’s penitent prayer, Jesus sent Ananias to him, saying, “Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16). The result: “He arose and was baptized” (Acts 9:18).
It was asked by the jailer to Paul and Silas. (Acts 16:30).
Note that, surprisingly, a different answer was given each time. So does that mean that God doesn't have a definite plan? Does He require different things of different people? No, God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34–35; Romans 2:11).
What it means is that everyone is required to make the same trip; but some are farther down the road than others.
A modern illustration might make it clearer. Suppose a high school student asked, “What must I do to get a PhD?”
Her friend might say, “You’ll have to go to college.” Her advisor would reply, “Complete high school, get your college undergraduate degree. Then enroll in graduate school and obtain a master’s. After that, apply for candidacy in a doctoral program.”
If a college graduate asked that question, he would not be told to finish high school and complete undergraduate work. He would be instructed to “enroll in graduate school, get a master’s, and apply to a doctoral program.”
If one with a master’s degree asked this, she would be told, “Apply to be a candidate in a doctoral program.” Each is at a different point.
“Go to college” is the short answer. It implies all that is in the long answer. “Believe on Jesus” is the short answer. It implies all that is in the long answer.
It is important to use the term “believe” as the Holy Spirit did. In Scripture, faith has these characteristics:
Faith includes the intellect. Sinners must believe in Jesus. Believe what? That He is “the Lord Jesus Christ,” indicating His deity, humanity, and Messiahship.
Faith includes the emotions (conscience). We must believe on Jesus. Faith is not merely believing facts. It is trusting Christ to rescue from sin’s dominion (Romans 6:14; Hebrews 7:25) and relying upon Him to remove sin’s guilt (Romans 8:33).
Faith includes the will. Faith is consummated by an obedient response (Romans 16:26). It involves a decision. Believers receive the right to become sons of God (John 1:12).
This is why context is so important when reading the scriptures.
For instance, baptism doesn’t accomplish or seal your salvation; it’s a public declaration of the work the Lord has already accomplished within. So the whole premise of baptismal regeneration defies the meaning and purpose of baptism.
In much the same way, our Lord called upon the rich young ruler to prove the genuineness of his repentance by parting with his wealth (Luke 18:18-27). Surely, however, no one would argue from the latter passage that giving away one’s possessions is necessary for salvation. Salvation is not a matter of either water or economics. True repentance, however, will inevitably manifest itself in total submission to the Lord’s will.
Even Christ Himself—in perhaps His most famous quote—denied the need for works to accomplish salvation: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). In fact, the need for baptism would contradict the entirety of Christ’s ministry. As John MacArthur puts it, “After condemning the ritualistic religion of the scribes and Pharisees, our Lord would hardly have instituted one of His own.”
So let's be clear - there are no shortcuts or religious rituals by which we can achieve salvation—in fact, it’s not a product of human works at all. As Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
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