Lessons from Matthew 19: Parables

Parables

The parable of the land owner, from our last lesson, reminds me of the parable of the prodigal son. Do you know that one?

It is about the son who asked his father for his inheritance and then left and squandered it on loose living. Then one day he humbly returned, willing to be accepted as a hired hand and not elevated to the place of sonship. It was the other brother, who had remained faithful to the Father, who was furious for the treatment of the brother. The Father brought out the best he had to celebrate the lost son’s return.

Both of these parables seem to refer to the gift of eternal life. Some come sooner and some later. But the important thing is that they come. And each one comes at the prompting of God Himself.

So don’t get hung up on when you came. Rather, rejoice in the fact that He called and you responded. And know that the gift of eternal life is yours both now and forevermore.

Now that’s a reason to rejoice, and yet that’s not even all there is!

Jesus promises rewards both now and for eternity to those who respond to His call and receive eternal life!

God, because of who He is, blesses us not only in eternity to come but also here in this present world. He gives us a taste of things to come. But we don’t do these things for that reason. We do them out of love and in obedience to His call, and we still reap the benefits.

For those who sow much will reap much. Those who sow little, little will they reap, no matter how long they have been a Christian.

It’s not years that are counted, but rather a heart set on fulfilling all that God has for them in this life until the day they pass from here to eternity!

So let me ask you, are you counted among the saved or the lost? Won’t you hear His call and come and confess your sins before Him and receive eternal life?

It’s not too late! But don’t put off His call for another day. Today might be all you have!

Or are you saved and sitting in your seat week after week taking it all in? Are you not doing a thing with what you have or are learning?

Being a student is good, but being a servant is the greater good of serving others. So what is God calling you to do for Him and for His people? Might not others suffer because you won’t do you part?

Do you harbor any thoughts that you deserve blessings from God because of your faith in Him or because of the works you have done?

Or maybe you are angry with God because He is withholding something you desire. Won’t you confess your sin against Him and trust that your Father knows what’s best?

You see, it’s only when we recognize our failures–our failure to keep God’s Word, to love him and others as we should, and our to use that which He has blessed us with–that we truly come to recognize how great the grace of God really is!

And therefore we should rejoice not only in our own salvation but also in the salvation of others. No matter how soon or how late in life this happens. And we must remember there is nothing we can do for Him that He can’t do for Himself. Any righteous acts we do comes from and through Him and Him alone.

Yet He desires that we take part in His glorious work as a result of receiving His great grace! And we have a responsibility to hold it out to others that they might receive it also.

Terri Hamman

Faith & Fitness Coach