Funny how Jesus emphasizes this theme. Not once, not twice, but multiple times! It is as if He is saying that not everyone who gets saved will actually make it to the final destination. I thought He said all you need to make it to eternity in heaven is to believe in Him and get saved?
The Tax Collector Vs. the Pharisee
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other…
Many among us Christians think they are much better off—or holier—than non-believers! Are you really?
Were you justified by self-righteousness or by mercy and grace?
For surely I tell you, there shall be gnashing of teeth on that day when the Lord says, “Go away from Me, for I never knew you!”
God called us to Himself to make us righteous, but that requires us to make Him manifest in our lives through continual repentance and faith in Him. That is dying to self and the world, and carrying our cross to follow Him. There is a price to pay—more than just confessing Jesus as your Lord and Savior with your mouth while your heart is far from Him. Isn’t that hypocrisy?
The Speck and the Log
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Jesus urges those who consider themselves His followers to look in the mirror first before trying to look at others. For you who preach to others, do you teach yourself first?
You who abhor idolatry, do you lust after worldly wealth?
You who began on the path of righteousness, watch and pray that you are not deceived by the lies of this world and deviate from the truth that was entrusted to you—lest you miss out on the golden cup of eternity.
You may enjoy all you want, but if you fail to hold onto the principles of the kingdom, whom shall you blame if you miss out on heaven when the truth has been made clear, yet you have continuously taken it for granted?
Parable of the Wheat and Tares
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
God plants good seed, as many Christians start out in truth. But as time passes, the world pollutes many, and they deviate from the truth yet continue to claim they are still saved! There is grace—as much as it is endless, it also has a grace period. Read the former line again.
The Ten Virgins and the Groom
Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom [a]is coming; go out to meet him!’7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying,‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
The Groom tells them, “I do not know you.” Does Jesus really know you, or are you only lying to yourself?
Who Will Enter Heaven Then?
Those who do the will of God and abide in His word—not those who confess Him but live the very opposite of what He requires.
28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went.30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?”
They said to Him, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.”
For only those who believe His message and repent shall inherit His kingdom—not the pastors, not the prophets, miracle doers, nor priests. Only those who believe and repent shall inherit salvation.
“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” (Matthew 21:43)
Many among Christians have found themselves backsliding into former sins and are stranded back in the former chains that Jesus had set them free from.
Let me share with you how to get yourself back on your feet and how to come back to grace. Here…
