A man who had for a long time been anxious about his soul obtained peace with God through hearing a gospel address by Robert M'Cheyne. At the close of the service he went to tell him the good news. The joy of the Lord so filled his soul and caused his face to glow, that Mr. M'Cheyne asked: "How did you get it?"
He replied, "All the time I have been trying to enter by the SAINT'S DOOR; but while you were speaking I saw my mistake and entered in at the SINNER'S DOOR."
This is what many are doing. They desire to enter by the saint's door, instead of the sinner's door. They try to give up this, that, and the other sin and bad habit. They vow and resolve that they will do differently in the future from what they have done in the past. In other words, they are seeking to better themselves and make themselves fit for God's presence. All the while they are turning their back on the door by which they are to enter.
The Lord Jesus did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. He came to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)). So long as you seek to do, or to bring some good thing of your own for salvation, you will find a closed door. Come as you are. Come to Jesus with your sins, and accept the sinner's Savior. YOUR NEED IS YOUR CLAIM. Come to Christ as a sinner—not as a saint.