Are You Striving To Enter At the Strait Gate? Do You Give Yourself Totally To Gain Eternal Life?! If Not, Why Not? It Will Reap for You Eternal Rewards!

Striving to follow Christ and enter into His Kingdom!

A Devotional Reading for May 12, 2025

What Does this Word Strive Import? [1]

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the Gospel”

Philippians 1: 27.

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate.” These words are fitly added; for since the gate is strait, it follows that they that will enter must strive.

“Strive.” This word strive supposes that great idleness is natural to professors.[2] They think to get to heaven by lying, as it were, on their elbows. It also suggests that many will be many difficulties that professors will meet before they get to heaven. It also concludes that only the laboring Christian, man, or woman, will get in thither [there].

How should we strive?

When he saith, Strive, it is as much as to say, Bend yourselves to the work with all your might. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9: 10). Thus, Samson did when he set himself to destroy the Philistines; “He bowed himself with all his might” (Judges 16: 30). Thus, David did also, when he made provision for the building and beautifying of the temple of God (1 Chronicles 29: 2). And thus, must you do, if ever you would enter into heaven.

When he saith, Strive, he calls for the mind and will, that they should be on his side, and on the side of the things of his kingdom. For none strive indeed, but such as have given the Son of God their heart; of which the mind and will are a principal part. For saving conversion lies more in the turning of the mind and will to Christ, and to the love of his heavenly things, than in all knowledge and judgment. The apostle confirms this, “Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving” (Philippians 1: 27).

[1] “Import” is a synonym for “what something means.”

[2] “Professors” are those who have professed Christ as Savior publicly.