Friday, January 20, 2023
So you think God is not fair, do you? Some people really think that especially when it comes to who can and who can’t get into heaven. After all, shouldn’t God allow everyone into heaven? NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Are we, as humans, doing a good job down here on earth? No! Why would God want a bunch of evil and vile people to enter into heaven? Why would God want sinners that refused to change to enter paradise? God is the creator and we play by His rules…and not Him by ours. Why?
There is a story in the bible regarding a landowner who would hire people at different times during the day to work in his fields. Some of the people worked from sunup to sunset and some didn’t even begin work until late in the day. Yet, when it came time to get their wages the owner paid everyone the same amount. Doesn’t seem fair that one worked in the hot sun all day and one didn’t but they all got that same pay. Most likely you would be mad as well…just like the ones that had worked all day. However, in today’s world, this would be frowned on because there are labor laws and unions that would have a cow over it. (You do know that is not a literal cow don’t you…but in this day and age…people believe whatever they want to believe).
When you think about heaven do you really think that God is not fair? Do you really think He wants to let riffraff into heaven? No, He doesn’t. He wants us all to get there but we can’t go on living evil lives and sinful lives and ever expect God to say, Hey, child welcome home.” In fact, what you will hear is, “Depart from me, for I never knew you.” As far as the landowner went…he paid the people what he promised, but the people were just not happy. They felt that if they did more, and worked harder, that they would be rewarded more than those who started late. I sure am glad I have a God in heaven who always does what is right even if mankind takes issue with it.
So in saying all that about the landowner think about this: Salvation is an awesome thing. How I want to cross that finish line victorious. But I am extremely thankful to my Father in heaven that even though I was a horrible sinner for so long… when I asked Jesus into my life I became a new person. I might not have been a Christian as long as another person has been, but God treats me the same as the one who was a Christian for a decades…thank you, Jesus!
Grace…Oh, how I was given God’s grace and mercy. We all deserve death for our sins, but God drew me to Him and didn’t let go. He just kept tugging on my heart. None of us deserve the mercy and grace of God, but God loves us, and those who are His and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior get such great and eternal blessings.
I also thought about this. I am not, what “I” would call talented as many other are or seem to be. I always wanted to be a great singer for the Lord, but I truly believe that someone would toss a tomato or great insults at me if they caught me singing. I feel like the ones I saw on TV who were wanting to win the contest and sounded like insane for even thinking they had a voice. I know I don’t…so that is not one of my high points. As for other talents…what are mine? I don’t know. I love to write, but I know I am not good at it…however, God uses what I offer to Him, and for some reason, He still has me writing. I guess God can get the message to them even if I have typos, or my tenses don’t go together. I will just be faithful and try and let God be God to give it to whomever He chooses. If someone else does better and millions do, then I don’t wish them bad…only that God would use them in whatever way God chooses to use them. There is room for all of us at the cross and doing God’s work. They can reach people I can’t, but somehow I think I must reach someone who needs to hear what I write/say, even with the typos or sentences that are all wacky. I just hope that someone sees through the typos and crazy way I write and gets something out of it.
So let’s discuss heaven for a moment and what the kingdom is like.
First of all, God reigns over all things. That is great news. All things…means all things. Psalm 24:1, Psalm 103:19, Colossian 1:16-17
Sin entered the world, and because it did, this sin, through the devil, challenged God’s Authority over His Kingdom. Rev 12:4, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Genesis 2,
God Promises a Kingdom. God called out a people for Himself to bless, through Abraham. Through a covenant, God promised that through Abraham, He would reestablish His kingdom authority on earth: Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 17:8, Genesis 26:4
God Shows His Standard of Holiness within His Kingdom. Exodus 3:14, Exodus 19:3-6
God Foreshadowed His Kingdom on Earth.
God promised David that someone from his family would always sit on the throne of Israel Isaiah 7:13-25, 2 Samuel 12-14
“…God will do what is just and right…” Jeremiah 33:14-26, Acts 13: 22-23
The Kingdom of God was established on earth when Jesus Christ came into the world. Matthew 3:2, John 1:29
The Kingdom of God is to Be Received. Mark 10:13-16, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 2
Entrance into the Kingdom of God Requires Belief and Repentance. Mark 1:15, Matthew 3:2, 4:23John 3:3-5, Luke 17:21
The Kingdom of God is Mysterious. Matthew 13: 11-23, 13:24:30
The Kingdom of God has Implications for Believers Today. Matthew 6:10, 2 Corinthians 5:20
How Should We, as Believers, Respond to the Bible’s Teaching on the Kingdom of God?
The first is that I realize that I am not the author of my drama. Rather, I am only a small player in God’s great story. This drastic shift in mindset makes me reprioritize my goals and schedule. Status and popularity no longer seem important when I keep in mind God’s Sovereignty and Christ’s redemptive work on the cross.
Also, with a Kingdom mindset, I find that my trust in God is more secure than it once was. I see how God has worked throughout time to guard over the world and redeem His people. His loving and just character allows me to realize that He will see His plans through. I can trust in His plans for me no matter what.
Finally, understanding the Kingdom of God leaves me with a sense of urgency and a challenge to tell others about Christ. God’s patience with us will not last forever and at some point, Christ will return.
At some point, God will judge the world. Because we do not know the day or time, we are to use our time wisely to help others receive the kingdom through faith in Christ
Whatever way God has you doing something for the kingdom…just do it and be thankful. No one’s job is more important than another. God can use all of us.