Eternal Life and Punishment

 Mat 25:46
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Matthew chapter 25 is filled with compare and contrast illustrations. We had ten virgins, five had oil in their lamps ready for the return of the bride, and five did not. Then there's the parable of the talents. There were those who invested wisely and those who did not. The destiny of their eternal soul was determined by how they invested what was given to them by their master. The parables illustrate that it is not enough to say you believe in God, but action speaks louder than words. The final story that Jesus tells does not say it is a parable, but a prophecy. The King will return to earth some day and final judgment will be given, and the destiny of the souls of people will be handed out. There will be those whose hearts are filled with love for God and others, and those who say they love God, but they live to please themselves, and turn a blind eye to those who are hurting and helpless. Many would like to use this passage of scripture to support the idea that good works and being a good person is all that is needed to have eternal life. But Jesus is speaking to his followers. There is more to eternal life than saying, “Lord, Lord.” Faith in Jesus is essential, but faith without works is dead. The debate of eternal salvation after a person confesses Christ comes into question with the words of Christ in Matthew chapter 25. There will be those who will not make it into heaven, and it will not just be those who live wicked lives. It will be a harsh reality to see that a person who experiences the forgiveness of sin will stand before God and find that they are on the left side of the judgment seat because they failed to live for Christ. It goes without saying that God and God alone is the final judge. It is our responsibility to be a true follower of Christ and do unto others as Christ has done for us. May we be found on the right side of the seat with the sheep, and hear the words of the King. "Enter into life everlasting."

Written in Our Hearts

 Jer. 31:33
, ..I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The new covenant of grace is given to the Jews here. There will come a day that God’s word will dwell in our hearts. The Word will be in us and work through us. The law will no longer be a taskmaster that drives us to do what is right, but His word would be a natural flow that springs from our heart. A new day was promised to the Jews. There will come a day where everyone will be accountable for their own actions. For the law of sowing and reaping will not be applied to the seed of those who come after. No doubt, choices people make may have a far reaching influence on generations to come, but God’s judgment now falls on he who sows. The coming of Christ and the promise of the Father to send the Holy Spirit, fulfilled the law of the Old Testament. An “eye for an eye”, change to “Turn to the other cheek.” God’s word has become a love letter to those that read it. We follow his word and commandments because we love Him and desire to please Him. The Old covenant is not entirely eliminated, but it does reveal to us that God is good and faithful, and His word can now live in our hearts.

Judgment of God

 Amos 5:24
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.

Justice and judgment will some day fall on those who commit wrongdoing. It may not happen in this life, but in the end God will have the final word. Our nation and those who support the abortion of the unborn babies will someday face God and give an answer to their actions. Sin will not continue without justice. The judgment of God will also fall on those who profess to be religious, but have denied the power of the Spirit to control their lives. They give lip service to the things of God, but their lives are lived in opposition to God’s will. Our only escape is the blood of Jesus. His blood will atone for all our sin and unrighteousness. We have no other escape from the judgment of God. Yes, God is love, but the wages of sin is death. Because God so loved the world, he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Jesus should not perish (suffer the judgment of God),  but have everlasting Life. John 3:16

The Consuming Fire

 Psalm 104:35
Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord.

“For our God is a consuming fire” are the words spoken by the writer of the book of Hebrews. God hates sin, and the wages of sin is death. God is Holy. In His holiness He shows us his love, grace, mercy, and long suffering. But, He is also a just God and He does not abide with sin and those who refuse to turn from it. The consequence of committing sin is death, but we have an advocate in Christ. “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” God is Love, and has made provisions for us to escape the consuming fire that is to come. Let us call upon His name, and praise Him for all He has done. Let the wicked turn from their wicked ways, else they be no more. Let all sinners come to know Jesus before God’s judgment falls. “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways”- Ek 33:11.  “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”-James 4:8