HAVING A FALSE HOPE 2

HAVING A FALSE HOPE 2

8 “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first.
9 When those hired at five o’clock were paid, EACH RECEIVED A FULL DAY'S WAGE.
10 When those hired first came to get their pay, THEY ASSUMED THEY WOULD RECEIVE MORE. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage.
11 When they received their pay, they protested to the owner,
12 ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’
13 “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage?
14 Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.
15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’
16 “SO THOSE WHO ARE LAST NOW WILL BE FIRST THEN, AND THOSE WHO ARE FIRST WILL BE LAST.”
Matthew 20:8-16 (NLT)
READ: Matthew 20:1-16

• The first set of workers hired in the parable were the type of Israelites, the Jews. The workers thought, or assumed, they would receive higher wages than the last set of workers (Matthew 20:10-12).

• The basic requirement for whoever would make heaven is salvation through Jesus Christ—being Born-again (John 3:3; Romans 10:9,10).
• And, the rewards in heaven would be based on the work done by each individual believer whilst on earth:
  "FOR WE MUST ALL STAND BEFORE CHRIST TO BE JUDGED. WE WILL EACH RECEIVE WHATEVER WE DESERVE FOR THE GOOD OR EVIL WE HAVE DONE IN THIS EARTHLY BODY" (2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT).
  READ: 1 Corinthians 3:12-14.
• The Jews who thought they would be the first, would find themselves to be the last (Matthew 20:16), because they rejected the Son of God sent to them: (John 1:11,12).
  READ: Romans 9:6-8,30-33

• Neither the good work of your parents nor of yours would be considered for a place to be given to you, in God's Kingdom.

• Some who were born by committed Christian parents might have the same fate, final result or outcome, like that of the Jews, If they had no personal relationship with Christ Jesus.
• Some who were born in the church, by committed parents—pastors or leaders in the church—might think they would be given special treatment before God. No.
• Someone's parents' walk and commitments with God, would not be considered for any reward. If such a person's personal relationship and fellowshipping with God is not sound.
• Do not think the blessing of God would come on you without your own personal commitment in the things of God, because of your godly parents:
  8 THEREFORE BEAR FRUITS WORTHY OF REPENTANCE, 9 AND DO NOT THINK TO SAY TO YOURSELVES, ‘WE HAVE ABRAHAM AS OUR FATHER.’ FOR I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 AND EVEN NOW THE AX IS LAID TO THE ROOT OF THE TREES. THEREFORE EVERY TREE WHICH DOES NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT IS CUT DOWN AND THROWN INTO THE FIRE" (Matthew 3:8-10 NKJV).
• God will not treat specially, or give a special place, or an opportunity, to anyone in His Kingdom; because of his or her parents' commitments in the things of God on earth.

• Although, God respects and honours; and is always committed to the covenant He made with whoever walks intimately with Him.

• However, the children of such must come to God personally, and individually, to be saved. Salvation of soul is not automatically transferred, and it cannot be inherited from one's parents.
• If you were born in the church, that is, you were born by committed Christian parents; yet you still need to have personal encounter or relationship with Christ Jesus.
• God would respect the covenant He had with your parents, because of their Faithfulness and Commitment, but that could not be transferred to you automatically, without your own personal relationship, fellowship, and commitment with God.

• The first set of hired workers, those hired in the morning, in Jesus' parable; had false hope, thinking their wages would be higher than that of those hired in the evening time (Matthew 20:10,11).

• The equal wages given to every worker in the parable, irrespective of the time that each individual was hired; symbolizes the salvation of each person's soul, being born-again, that would be required for an entrance to heaven (John 3:3).
• The salvation of those who accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour in the first century is not more authentic than the salvation of those who accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord in the twenty first century.
• Equal salvation for all, irrespective of the time, the location, the race or colour, and whatever:
  22 WE ARE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD BY PLACING OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. AND THIS IS TRUE FOR EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES, NO MATTER WHO WE ARE. 29 AFTER ALL, IS GOD THE GOD OF THE JEWS ONLY? ISN'T HE ALSO THE GOD OF THE GENTILES? OF COURSE HE IS" (Romans 3:22,29 NLT).

• Salvation is NOT transferable and inheritable. A husband's salvation of soul cannot be transferred to the wife, and parents cannot transfer their salvation to their children.

• We all stand one by one before God on the last Day; not family by family, or denomination by denomination, or race by race, or colour by colour.
• It is a false hope that someone's salvation, or commitment in God's Kingdom on Earth would be considered for your justification, when you personally had no relationship with Christ Jesus.
• Being a Jew, a particular race or colour, being a member of a particular denomination or group, or whatever; would not give you a place in heaven without any personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
• The end of those whose names are not found in the Book of Life is hell fire (Revelation 20:15; 21:27). And for your name to be in the Book of Life, you have to repent of your Sins and establish a relationship with God through Jesus Christ (John 3:3; Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9,10).

• It is my prayer that you will not regret and perish at the end of your journey on earth in Jesus' name.

• If you are sick in your body, As you read read this piece, receive your healing now in Jesus' mighty name.
  Peace!

• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!