01/09/2023
There are those who are more concerned about how many will be saved, and who will be allowed to enter the Kingdom of God, than they are about whether they are among that number. The real question remains; will we be prepared in our own faith at the time Jesus returns for the righteous? So, let’s ask ourselves, are we one of those who asks persistently “How many?”, and neglects to strive and ask “Will I be one?” We cannot save ourselves by knowing the number who will enter Heaven, no, only by having striven to know Jesus, and by waiting faithfully on Him, can we be among that number… whatever that happens to be.
“And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”
Luke 13:23-24 ESV
If we are not ready at the instant of Christ’s return our moment will be lost, and although we might scurry about trying to understand how to prepare ourselves for Him… it will be too late, and the door will have already been closed.
“When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’”
Luke 13:25 ESV
And also…
“But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’”
Luke 13:27 ESV
Do we pray without ceasing, and walk with the Lord always? Are we well provisioned like the virgins who had sufficient oil for their lamps when the bridegroom came, or will we be standing in the dark like those who were ill prepared and unable to keep their lamps lit?
“And while they were going to buy [oil], the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’”
Matthew 25:10-12 ESV
There are many movies in which someone has had a disagreement with a loved one, and that heartbroken person goes to the airport to catch a flight to some distant place. In many of these movies the one who has broken the other’s heart reconsiders and rushes to the airport to make things right but finds that the airplane just took off, and they are too late. Well, in the movies the script seems to make things right and they reunite, but in real life, more often than not, that just doesn’t happen and all is lost. Are we certain that we want to risk loosing our relationship with God, and Jesus Christ, over some trivial argument, or by not being ready to establish a relationship with Him when He is ready to do so with us?
Let’s think on this today, and consider our lives, and faith. Let’s ask ourselves if we are prepared to enter the narrow door to Heaven right now, let’s check to see if our lamps are full and we are ready to meet the bridegroom, or whether we are too proud and obstinate to ask forgiveness and fix our spiritual relationship before it is too late. There is always a time when the opportunity is lost, or a point of no return; where do we stand in relation to them? Are we striving continuously, as we should, to be ready to accept Jesus, know God, and to answer Heaven’s call?
Prayer:
Thank you Father for the many warnings you have given us regarding the final day of judgement that is coming, and the need for us to be ready for it. Thank you for all that you have done to prepare us for it by doing such things as instructing your angels to strengthen us, sending your Son Jesus Christ to redeem us, pouring out your grace upon us, and breathing your Holy Spirit into us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who desires that none of us should be lost, but has established a beginning and an end to our life here on earth. Praised be your name for extending the promise of eternal life to us through Jesus if we would only believe in Him, and accept your mercy by loving you with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, loving our neighbors as ourselves, conforming to your will, and by doing all you command and teach us. Praised be your name for the patience you show us, your long suffering, and your willingness to wait for us. Great are you our God who made us in your image and continues to transform us in Christ. Wash us in His blood Father, and cleanse us of all sin so that we can come before you without blemish… pleasing in your sight. Judge us to be worthy in our final day of judgement Lord, and seat us at your eternal table as you call us by name, and know completely the hearts of each of us. Call us your children, and friends… never saying that you know us not.
““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
Matthew 7:21-23 ESV
Rich Forbes