The pain of exclusion from the kingdom of God
Luke 13:28 “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.”
Many people will cry on the final day, when it finally comes to their realization that they have missed eternity in heaven. Too much carelesness and neglect of the instructions of the Spirit of God will be their ruin. They’ll cry, why did I not listen? why did I not hear? why did I not take heed? But then, it would have been too late. This is an hour of decision. The Lord Jesus Christ is on his way coming, and the wrath of God is coming on the disobedient ones. Who will escape? He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
You’ve been hearing about salvation in Christ, and being born again; have you made a practical step to have it? Have you experienced genuine salvation, with real salvation testimony? Are you a true believer? Are you sure your sins are forgiven? Does the blessed holy Spirit of God witness gracious peace within you that you’re now a child of God?
You’ve been hearing about sanctification: holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. Have you desired this holiness? Have you sought the LORD for the sanctification of your heart? Do you long for the purification, and the cleansing of your heart, so as to have the holiness of heart and life?
Have you been hearing about restitution? What practical steps have you taken to restore the things you’ve taken? Or do you think you can make heaven with an impure conscience? Nay! “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and man.
Are thou a faithful, passionate, determinate, soul-winner? Have you longed with an inward burden and passion for the souls of the lost? Have you totally forsaken the past, the world, the activities of life, pleasure and gain, and cleaved to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ? Are you crucified to the world, and the world crucified unto you? Are you dead to sin? For he that is dead is freed from sin. Have you picked up your cross, sacrificed your utmost, denied yourself in all things, and followed after the blessed LORD? Have you set your face like a flint toward that heavenly Canaan?
There is no more time. The trumpet will soon sound, and all the fashion of this world will pass away. Where will you spend eternity when that happens? Don’t be careless anymore, running after people who will not tell you about your soul, and teach you heavenly standard of scriptural holiness. Be wise, like the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what they ought to do.
Remember, there shall be weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, for a great multitude of people, who think they can enter into the kingdom of God through the vain assurance of their own carnal mind. These are people who came to Christ, but found it difficult to forsake the world and it’s worldliness. Are you among them? This day, you can choose to come out from among them, and be separate. And then come boldly unto the throne of grace that ye might obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
The real saints of Jesus Christ are few. Jesus said, “They are in this world, but not of this world.” They desire a home, whose foundation and maker is God. The angels beckon them from heaven’s open door, and they can’t feel at home in this world anymore.
Reagan Azoyenime is a born again Christian and an undergraduate student of Ambrose Ali University, Nigeria. He writes edifying Christian messages centred on salvation in Christ and holiness.
E-mail: razoyenime@gmail.com
