“Because if you don’t live the Word, you best keep your mouth shut and not embarrass God by preaching one thing yet do another!” This was one comment among many in our Applied Apologetic class today and well reflective of an important issue among false Christians.
Indeed, even Christianity is host to hypocrites and wanna be’s. If you think about it, the prize can be quite appealing: Eternal life in Heaven!
Fortunately, the kingdom of God is reserved not only to those who accepted God’s invitation, but to the few who sought a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The bible gives many examples of this, my favorite is found in Matthew where Jesus is speaking to the High Priests in Jerusalem.
“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.’ But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. ‘But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:2-15)
The message behind this parable is a simple one: Answering God’s calling is one thing, preparing for the occasion is something completely different!
In essence, “being saved” in only the beginning. Living according to God’s commandments becomes one’s ticket through the pearly gates of Heaven.
Beware of those who play the Christian card when it’s convenient for them to do so but choose to live in denial of God’s commands. First and foremost, God commands us to love Him with all that we are and put Him first. “And [Jesus] said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
To achieve this, we must give ourselves completely to God and keep surrendering to the Lord daily. Basically, living the Christian life and preaching God’s Word.
Claiming to have the Holy Spirit within us will not be enough. The Spirit must live within us and we must become Christ like if we are to have a relationship worthy of God’s kingdom. Remember, we are all invited but only a few of us will be chosen.
Keep striving for perfection through Jesus Christ. Keep serving the Lord and most important, keep God first in your life!
Let’s pray.
Father God;
We thank you for all that surrounds us, for your love.
We pray you will inspire us to look beyond our own plan
And appreciate challenges you lay before us
Knowing there is always a light at the end of the tunnel
As long as we keep walking in your footsteps.
Lord we pray you’ll keep us safe, healthy and strong
In the week ahead, And that you will look after us
In difficult times guiding us to be more like you.
God please inspire us to seek a relationship with you
And keep living according to your commandments,
Not only preaching your Word but living it
Each and every single day.
Thank you all mighty God for your presence in our lives.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
