What does the Bible say about striving to be saved?

In Luke 13:24, Jesus instructs us to 'strive to enter in at the straight gate,' which indicates that salvation is not merely a passive experience but requires earnest effort and dedication in following Christ. The term 'strive' suggests a struggle and a fight against the inclinations of the flesh, which naturally seeks the easier, broader path leading to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). It reflects the consistent biblical theme that salvation is a work of God but involves the believer's persistent engagement in faith.