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I’ve struggled with today’s Gospel (Mt 20:1-16). I will admit that I can be pretty selfish, and when I see someone getting the same payment or reward for doing less than I did, I complain. But as it shows in the Gospel, God is above that. He promised the Israelites way way back in the day salvation, and gives us today the same promise. And regardless of the age when someone comes to Christ, they will partake in the same salvation as everyone else.
We play a very dangerous game because of this. For some asinine reason, we believe we have all the time in the world to come to Christ. We believe that we can wait – until after college, or when we get married, or when we settle down with family…we are constantly living like there is a tomorrow for us. Some of us probably believe that we’ll die like in the movies where we’ll have just enough time after we get shot or hit by a car or blown up to ask God for forgiveness.
Another part of that danger is that we think that God is so loving and merciful that He won’t keep us out of heaven. Well, I’ve got news for you: He won’t (probably). But you might.
No one on earth can or should pass judgment on another, or condemn them to hell. Almost only God has a say in who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. I say almost because a part of that decision is on you.
Uh, Deepu, why would anyone choose to go to hell?
Well, from what I understand, God wants to forgive us and have us in heaven with Him (if He didn’t, then why would He send His Son to die on the cross for us?). But we need to accept and believe that. On top of that we need to accept and believe what Jesus taught while He was here on earth. And the longer we spend here on earth ignoring or putting God off, the harder it will be to ask God to forgive us. And if we can’t ask God to forgive us, then He’s not going to forgive us (He respects our free will). And by not wanting to ask for forgiveness, we’re telling God we don’t want to spend eternity with Him, that we are just fine without Him. If we’re willing to turn away from God now, what’s to stop us from doing the same thing when we die?
If I’m the type of person that blames God for my car wreck, job loss, break up, failed test, or whatever, I’ll be the type of person who blames God for my death or the way I died. I’ll resent God. I won’t want to ask for forgiveness because I’ll still be too filled with pride.
Now of course I may be wrong, because I haven’t died yet so I don’t know exactly what happens.
But hell if I’m gonna risk it.
First time reader- great post Deepu.
thank you…I really like
Another part of that danger is that we think that God is so loving and merciful that He won’t keep us out of heaven. Well, I’ve got news for you: He won’t (probably). But you might.
Blessings on you and the family