To Be Least

Check out this blog. She says about her blog:

My life is about live for God right now. I post things that came to my mind mostly about God though.

Later.

      In his article "Rewards For Christians," Tony Evans talked about a place in heaven for those who are unfaithful.

But those Christians who are unfaithful (Matt. 25:28-30) will have their rewards taken from them and given to those who were faithful, and, and they will be cast into "outer darkness," the place where there shall be "weeping and gnashing of teeth." The "outer darkness" described in this passage is not a description of hell, but is likely a lesser status in God's kingdom. Unfaithful Christians will see more diligent Christians rule and reign with Christ. Seeing that they could have had much greater reward and prominence in God's kingdom, these unfaithful stewards will weep and gnash their teeth in deep remorse and regret." (p 1234)

      Along these lines, Charles Stanley says this about Matthew 25:30 where it says, "And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

The final verse of this parable is so severe that many commentators assume it is a description of hell. It is not . . . The point of this parable is that in God's future kingdom, those who were faithful in this life will be rewarded and those who were not will lose any potential reward . . . Before we can understand the full impact of this parable, we must first determine what the "outer darkness" refers to in the context of the parable. It certainly does not mean hell in the parable. How could a master throw a slave into hell? . . . But what actual place was Jesus referring to in the parable? He gave us only one hint: "In that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." . . . To be in the "outer darkness" is to be in the kingdom of God but outside the circle of men and women whose faithfulness on this earth earned them a special rank or position of authority.

Objection #1

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Rev. 21:3-4)

      There will be NO mourning, crying and tears in heaven. These men say that in the "outer darkness" in heaven these unfaithful stewards will weep and gnash their teeth in deep remorse and regret.

Objection #2

The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. (Matthew 12:41-43)

      Matthew used the description "where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" to describe the fiery furnace. This is an obviously hell. However, they took this phrase to mean a part of heaven.

These men are in error.

I was reading Mr. Standfast's blog today, and a thought came to mind when I read his post:

When we become apart of God's family, we are cleansed from our sin, and are given the Holy Spirit to help us obey God. Because of our new found righteousness, it is so easy to compare our "holiness" with the pagans. Instead of the humble heart that Jesus wants, we become proud and conceited.

However, when we look at the perfect righteousness and holiness of God, we are forced to realize that we are sinners. That we are imperfect and need a Savior daily. God's perfection humbles us.

However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

That was said by Jesus in Luke 18:7. When you read it, it makes you think. I look at the immoral state of the United States. I look at the statistics that say that 80% of the American population is Christian. Yet statistics also say that Christians have the same divorce rate as non-Christians.

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 3:1)

We are told by the apostle John that if someone loves the world (the sin of the world), the love of the Father is not in him. That is a pretty strong statement. If you are love the world's sin, you are not saved. Period.

I know that many people who walk around calling themselves Christians live sinful lives. I know that many of them do not bear good fruit. We should examine ourselves. Are we these Christians?

Do we love the world? Do I love the world? Something to think about.

One the ten commands that God gave the Israelites was to not have any other idols or gods besides God.

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." (Exodus 20:4)

My question to you today is this. Are you worshiping an idol? Before you answer, an idol does not have to be some foreign statue. It does not have to be a religious "god." Some examples might include you job, money, lusts, school, computer, and anything else that you love more then God. These are also idols.

If there is anything that is more important in your life then God you are committing idolatry. What do you do? You repent, confess your sin to God, and ask for forgiveness. He will forgive you, however you must continue to put God as first in your life, not something else.

Let me end with this verse talking about who will be outside heaven:

Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (Rev. 22:15)

Let that verse be a warning to us.

Read this passege from John 8:31-32:

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Sin is deceptive. It initially attracts you, drawing you in. It promises enjoyment and happiness. Once it entices is victim, it latches on. Unknown to its victim, it clings on tight. Months may pass, years even. The sin saturates the soul. Like a deadly poison it slowly kills. It destroys. Even with its destructive effects, you are held captive to it. You a slave in shackles. A slave to a master called sin.

Jesus tells us in this passage that we can be free from this slavery and bondage. "The truth will set you free," he explained. However, he says to the believing Jews that if the hold to his teaching they truly are his disciples. Then they will know the truth and the truth will set them free from sin.

In order to be truly set free from sin, you me hold to his commands. Then, you will know that you are really Jesus' disciples, and the truth will set you free. It takes more then belief, you must hold to Christ's teaching to be experience freedom from slavery to sin.