I bet my title has been googled over a million times, people looking for answers on the internet when the true answer lies with God. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have learned that God is merciful. When we sin or fall short daily, we know we can ask for forgiveness, and he grants it to us. God is love, he is mercy, he grants us unmerited favor, he is peace, he is joy, he is protective, HE IS. God is also in the business of judgement. As most of us can attest to, there is a consequence to every sin, sooner or later. It is important that we have a healthy fear of the Lord, that we respect him, and that we have a love that runs so deep in our heart that we do not want to go against his will. Today, we are going to the book of Matthew for an example as to why we must walk in a way that is pleasing to God.
Matthew 24:45-51
The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’ And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day he does not anticipate and at an hour he does not expect and will cut him in pieces, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. There is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.
So what is this Bible verse being compared to you might ask? To put it simply, Jesus is coming back again and the Bible says no one knows the day or hour but be ready! What does readiness look like? I am going to use direct scriptures instead of my opinion, because my opinion will not get you into heaven. The highlighted points are key.
Matthew 18:3
and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (not literally becoming children but have the innocence of)
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God ? Do not be deceived ; neither fornicators , nor idolaters , nor adulterers , nor effeminate , nor homosexuals , nor thieves , nor the covetous , nor drunkards , nor revilers , nor swindlers , will inherit the kingdom of God . Such were some of you; but you were washed , but you were sanctified , but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God .
To my reader’s who may be questioning your salvation and whether you will end up with Jesus in heaven, it is only too late to change once he returns. Do not wait another day to be saved because tomorrow is not guaranteed. The Lord loves you, has a special plan for your life that goes beyond what you can imagine, so seek God and ask of his forgiveness. The next thing to do is, ask him to transform you into his likeness. As long as we have a genuine heart wanting to be changed, God will do it. Read the word and that will renew your mind.
Dear Lord, We thank you for the gift of life. I ask that you forgive us of our sins, and help us to be more Christ-like. We desire to know you more. To hear from you more. And to love you more. I ask that you create a new spirit in me, one that is righteous and bold for you. Help us to understand your Holy Bible and grow. We love you and thank you, In Jesus name I pray.
The Sinner’s Prayer (by Dr. Ray Pritchard)
Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.
