With Christmas two days away, pray that those who don’t know Christ will meet him this year.

You and I know many people who we long to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Family members, friends, co-workers. You’ve been praying for some of them for years. Yet, their hearts are still cold to Christ.

In Luke 13, Jesus told people to “strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13:24 ESV)

Jewish people in that day were wound up in their traditions. The Scribes and Pharisees amplified that and taught that tradition (rule-following) was the path to heaven. Their legalism was adopted by the common Jew.

Before we scoff at the Scribes and Pharisees, consider that society today isn’t that far off. While the average person doesn’t keep a written laundry list of cleansing behaviors, there’s one thing that most people feel will get them into heaven: good works.

That’s where your unsaved friends live today. They live with the false belief that they are doing enough good things that God will accept them into heaven. It has nothing to do with faith but everything to do with keeping the “law.”

In reality, they are not bound for heaven. Jesus describes their destination: “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Luke 13:28 ESV)

How agonizing. Complete absence of God is a horrifying eternal destiny for your friends who do not know Jesus.

Jesus is their Savior . . . when they accept his gift of eternal life. However, it must be on his terms, not theirs. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction.” (Matthew 7:13 NIV)

The gate is narrow, but Jesus opens it.

Are you agonizing over the salvation of your lost friends and family? The thought of their eternal destiny in hell should drive you to heart-wrenching prayer. For me, I don’t pray enough like that. However, as I read Luke 13, the Lord moves my heart and soul.

Will you pause right now and pray through that mental list of needy people? Pray that God will soften their hearts. Pray that they will see that doing good does not give them entry into heaven. Pray that they will surrender to Jesus, who has opened the narrow door.

(From my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days With Jesus, available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback).