Is Effort Bad?

Considering our effort, God's love, and the call to repentance

Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.

Luke 13:24

Effort is a part of Christian spirituality. That being the case, we must never conflate effort with earning God’s love and forgiveness. When Jesus says make every effort, he clearly doesn’t mean work hard so God will like and accept you. Effort harmonizes with his call to repentance, to re-con…