Peter's fervent prayer, "Lord, save or I perish," was much better than this curious question: it was an unprofitable one. Suppose our Lord had given a direct answer to it, and told the inquirer how many will be saved, what good would he have gained by it?
Learn hence, that unprofitable questions are to be avoided; they proceed from a vain curiosity. Indulge no thoughts above, beyond, or contrary to what is written: they may amuse and perplex, but cannot edify thy soul. Observe also the wisdom of thy Lord: he does not give a direct answer to this vain question, but improves it for general usefulness, as though he had said, "Friend, thy question is impertinent; thou art prying into a matter that concerns thee not; thou hast a notion of salvation in thy head, and hast put a curious question with thy tongue, but thy heart is unconcerned about thy own salvation; rather than answer this question I will improve it to general use, ' Strive to enter in at the strait gate.'"
Disciple, here is an admirable lesson for thee and me Let us learn to improve every curious question for godly edification; nice and subtle distinctions for practical and experimental conversation. You can scarcely begin to speak of the grace of God and the salvation of Christ to poor blind sinners, but they will seek to divert attention from the subject by some question as to the doc trines of the Gospel. I am persuaded it is best to follow our Lord's conduct: give no answer to the question; set forth the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the deplorable state of sinners, the absolute necessity of a Saviour, the matchless glory of his person, the riches of his love, the fulness of his salvation, and the need we have of faith in him, to be clothed in his righteousness, justified God, eternally by this, before and saved him this is the way to instruct poor sinners' minds, and to warm and enliven our own souls. Dry disquisitions promote jar and discord. Let Jesus, "the strait gate," be in our view. "Let us consider the end of our conversation, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." Heb. 13:7, 8. Let us look to him every day and every hour, to save us from the deceitful pride of our hearts, the abominable wickedness of our nature, and from all the lusts which war against our souls.