A Christian is one who cares. They not only care for individuals in the here and now but they care about what happens to them eternally. True believers cannot separate the caring part into earthly and heavenly circumstances. It’s not in the believer’s DNA so to speak. Christians are taught to pray for all--both the lost and the saved. In John 16:23-24 Jesus says, “…Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29) Faith is believing God and believing that he will do what he says he’s going to do. Jesus also said, “…no man cometh to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) No exceptions are mentioned. No other way is given. Living a good, moral, upstanding life does not provide a back-door into eternity. It only assures the good, moral, upstanding person who is not a believer that he will be standing with the other unbelievers at the great white throne judgment and that he will be judged according to his works. (Revelation 20:12)
There are warnings. John 3:18 says that those who don’t believe are condemned already because they didn’t believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God. There is a man at this very moment who is dying from pancreatic cancer. The chemo no longer works. If the experimental drug they are trying does work, it will only provide him with two more months because of the many side-effects. This dear friend will leave this world somewhere between June and July. He does believe but no one would know it by the way he lived his life. He doesn’t believe that he deserves God’s mercy because of the many things he has done.
Now take the good man who has checked off all the boxes. Goes to church--check, works hard--check, supports community projects--check, cares about family--check; he has spent his life doing all the right things. Except one, he doesn’t believe he’s a sinner. Pride has prescribed how he lives his life.
When these two stand before God, what’s going to happen? In Matthew 11:20-24, Jesus is taking to task the cities that he has been to. He goes on to tell them that in the day of judgment it’ll be more tolerable for the wicked cities mentioned than it will be for them. Judgment day, that means that some will be judged more harshly than others, doesn’t it? What will happen? Only God knows but it should give one concern about what lies ahead. Not just here but in eternity, too.
“Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) Open the door! Welcome Jesus Christ as the saviour who died for mankind and for each person individually. It’s the Christians hope and prayer for all to come to God. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)
Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29) Faith is believing God and believing that he will do what he says he’s going to do. Jesus also said, “…no man cometh to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) No exceptions are mentioned. No other way is given. Living a good, moral, upstanding life does not provide a back-door into eternity. It only assures the good, moral, upstanding person who is not a believer that he will be standing with the other unbelievers at the great white throne judgment and that he will be judged according to his works. (Revelation 20:12)
There are warnings. John 3:18 says that those who don’t believe are condemned already because they didn’t believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God. There is a man at this very moment who is dying from pancreatic cancer. The chemo no longer works. If the experimental drug they are trying does work, it will only provide him with two more months because of the many side-effects. This dear friend will leave this world somewhere between June and July. He does believe but no one would know it by the way he lived his life. He doesn’t believe that he deserves God’s mercy because of the many things he has done.
Now take the good man who has checked off all the boxes. Goes to church--check, works hard--check, supports community projects--check, cares about family--check; he has spent his life doing all the right things. Except one, he doesn’t believe he’s a sinner. Pride has prescribed how he lives his life.
When these two stand before God, what’s going to happen? In Matthew 11:20-24, Jesus is taking to task the cities that he has been to. He goes on to tell them that in the day of judgment it’ll be more tolerable for the wicked cities mentioned than it will be for them. Judgment day, that means that some will be judged more harshly than others, doesn’t it? What will happen? Only God knows but it should give one concern about what lies ahead. Not just here but in eternity, too.
“Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) Open the door! Welcome Jesus Christ as the saviour who died for mankind and for each person individually. It’s the Christians hope and prayer for all to come to God. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)
