Do people really have a choice with salvation? The rewards are great, but the standard to reach is very high and it seems that many will fail (Matthew 7:14).

It seems such a high water mark that's impossible to attain.

We should first understand that the Bible consistently presents salvation in a very positive manner. God created human beings in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27 [26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
[27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

See All...) and He gives us freedom of choice (Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
See All...).

You mentioned that Matthew 7:14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
See All... indicates that many will fail in their quest for salvation. It reads: "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Since the Bible interprets the Bible, this passage should be viewed as applying during this age of man to the firstfruits of God, those few who are given an opportunity for salvation now. The "few" are the firstfruits and the "many" are those whom God isn't calling at this time.

Most don't find this narrow gate simply because they can't. Jesus said that no one can come to Him unless "the Father who sent Me draws him [or her]" (John 6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
See All..., 65). Matthew 7:14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
See All... is simply telling us that only a relative few are being called now. The apostle Peter tells us that it is the Church that is being judged at this time (1 Peter 4:17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
See All...). The members of the Church—elsewhere called "the firstfruits" of God (1 Corinthians 15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
See All..., 23; 16:15)—have real choice during this present age.

The broad majority of human beings do not have that same opportunity or choice at this time. They will have that choice at a later time during the millennial reign of Christ and during the time of the Great White Throne Judgment that follows (Revelation 20:1-5 [1] And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
[4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
[5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

See All..., 11-13). Our free booklet God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind explains the chronology of events in much more detail. Please request or download your free copy.

The plan of salvation revealed through the biblical Holy Days highlights the important time factor. Salvation becomes available to humanity in a specified order (1 Corinthians 15:22-24 [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
[23] But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
[24] Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

See All...)—the firstfruits of God now in this age, followed by the vast majority of people during the age to come.

God is very positive about our salvation. The apostle Paul said to the brethren at Philippi: "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6, emphasis added). God has all the resources in the universe at His command to help us. Nothing is impossible for Him (Genesis 18:14Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
See All...), but He wants us to choose His way voluntarily. He will not save us against our wills.

But even for the relative few who choose to reject God's offer of salvation, their punishment will not be everlasting life in the fires of hell. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
See All...). Our free booklet Heaven and Hell: What Does the Bible Really Teach? explains this biblical truth in great detail.

Focusing on the many positive passages of Scripture is essential. For instance, Jesus Christ said that His crucifixion would draw all peoples to Himself (John 12:32-33 [32] And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
[33] This he said, signifying what death he should die.

See All...). And the apostle Paul said, "All Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
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Paul also tells us that God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
See All...). Peter explains that "the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
See All...). Of course, in all of these passages we must remember the time factor and that He is not trying to save all men, women and children in this age.

God is the ultimate victor and He will save the vast majority of mankind. For further knowledge about how you can be saved, please request or download our free booklets The Road to Eternal Life and Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion .