When Jesus was asked how many people would be saved, He redirected the question to something far more personal: Have you entered through the narrow door? Dr. Michael Youssef explains why salvation cannot be earned through heritage, religion, or good works, but comes only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
As Jesus traveled toward Jerusalem, someone asked Him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” Rather than give a number, Jesus issued a direct challenge: “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.”
In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that this narrow door is Jesus Christ Himself. Salvation does not come through ethnicity, religious tradition, morality, or human effort. It comes through the shed blood of Christ and a heart that turns to Him in repentance and faith.
But what does Jesus mean when He tells us to “make every effort”? He is not teaching salvation by works. Instead, Dr. Youssef shows how genuine repentance requires laying down our pride, abandoning every attempt to earn God’s favor, and admitting our complete dependence on Christ. As John the Baptist declared, “He must become greater; I must become less.”
Jesus warned that outward religion can never substitute for a true relationship with Him. People may perform good works, observe religious rituals, or even call themselves Christians, yet remain outside the Kingdom if they have never truly come to Christ.
This devotional is a sobering call to examine where your confidence lies. Eternity is real, and the invitation of the Gospel is urgent. Enter through the narrow door—not trusting in yourself, but in Jesus Christ alone.
Pray with me.
Jesus, I trust in You and recognize that I bring nothing to earn salvation. You alone are my righteousness. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.