[AN EXHORTATION TO STRIVE TO ENTER INTO THIS KINGDOM.]
Third. I come not to the exhortation, which is, to strive to enter in. "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 in must strive.
"Strive." This word strive supposeth that great idleness is natural to professors; they think to get to heaven by lying, as it were, on their elbows. It also suggesteth that many will be the difficulties that professors will meet with, before they get to heaven. It also concludeth that only the labouring Christian, man or woman, will get in thither. "Strive," &c.
Three questions I will propound upon the word, an answer to which may give us light into the meaning of it: I. What doth this word strive import? 4
II. How should we strive? III. Why should we strive?
[Import of the word STRIVE.]
I. What doth this word strive import? Answer,
1. 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, whither thou goest." (Eccl 9:10) Thus Samson did when he set himself to destroy the Philistines; "He bowed himself with all his might." (Judg 16:30) Thus David did also, when he made provision for the building and beautifying of the temple of God. (1 Chron 29:2) And thus must thou do, if ever thou enterest into heaven.
2. When he saith, Strive, he calleth 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 lieth 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. And this the apostle confirmeth, when he saith, "Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving," &c. (Phil 1:27)
3. And, more particularly, this word strive is expressed by several other terms; as, (1.) It is expressed by that word, "So run that ye may obtain." (1 Cor 9:24,25) (2.) It is expressed by that word, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life." (1 Tim 6:12) (3.) It is expressed by that word, "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life." (John 6:27) (4.) It is expressed by that word, "We wrestle—with principalities and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world." (Eph 6:12) Therefore, when he saith, Strive, it is as much as to say, Run for heaven, Fight for heaven, Labour for heaven, Wrestle for heaven, or you are like to go without it.