Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’8 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time, I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
If we continue to willfully live in sins after we become a Christian, why did Jesus die for our sins (Hebrews 10:26)? Throughout the years walking with the Lord, I have heard different reasons why people are not able to change their sinful nature after they decide to surrender their lives to God. What strikes me is how religious leaders are becoming afraid to warn people about the wages of sin being death (Romans 6:23). It becomes evident that many pastors, clergy, ministers, teachers, and evangelists are more fearful of how society will react to them instead of preaching the full Gospel. Consequently, sin seems to become the norm of the church. Religious leaders who are in ministry have different reasons why they prefer to teach about Jesus the savior, grace, peace, redeemer, healer, provider, and the many feel-good gospel messages that people want to hear, and rightly so. However, Jesus the Lord, Judge, King of Kings who expects repentance, transformation, surrender, commitment, who is coming back is not taught or is sometimes mentioned in a passive and light manner.
Yes, the Kingdom of heaven is available to all through Jesus Christ who came to the world as the beacon of light to lead those who respond to God's gift of salvation (John 3:16). God also knew that humankind would find darkness more appealing instead of the light that Jesus brought to us (John 3:19). I remember at an early age after deciding to make Jesus Lord and Savior in my life, a few years later I began asking myself what God's expectation of me as his servant was. I was involved in all the religious activities, but my soul was longing to understand what it means to be dead to the flesh and alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11-14). Jesus throughout the Gospel laid a clear foundation of what a transformed life in Christ looks like (Luke 14:25-27, John 14 & 15, Matthew 5, 6, 7, and many more). If the Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure (Matthew 13:44-46), what does that imply? Treasures are usually hidden, and it takes determination, sacrifices, commitment, dedication, resources, and hard work to discover. As I read Jesus's description, he is implying finding that treasure is not based on having a feeling or a sporadic interest when I can. That is why I believe Jesus warns us that the road to God will be narrow because Satan, our adversary, is doing everything to make the journey difficult for us so that we can easily take the easy way out (Matthew 7:13-14).If the Kingdom of God is easy to get to, why does God provide us with so many warnings about hell and heaven throughout the Bible? If there are no boundaries in God's grace and mercy, why do scriptures say, "Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God, and they will be my children" (Revelation 21:7)? If God has no expectation on how we ought to respond to his love, grace, and mercy, why would Jesus say if we love him, we will obey his commands (John chapters 14-15)? If no transformation of life is required to get to heaven, why would Apostle Paul say to continue sinning willfully "But only a fearful expectation of Judgment and a raging fire that will consume God's enemies" (Hebrews 10:27)? If after you become a Christian, surrendering your life to Christ, you can't lose your salvation, why do scriptures warn us about falling away from the truth of God and losing our souls (1 Timothy 4:1-3, Hebrews 6:4-6, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Matthew 24:10-13, 2 Peter 2:20-22, Revelation 2:5, etc.)?
My call into ministry is not to be liked or receiving mankind's approval or praises but to warn each soul who is willing to listen: Satan is after your soul to be thrown into the "fiery lake of burning sulfur" with him during the second death that is coming for all human souls (Revelation 21:8). If I were looking to continue living my life to please people, I would not say yes to this call, I would have not surrendered my life to be Christ's daughter, friend, and slave (Galatians 1:10, Galatians 2:20-21 & Romans 6:16-20). My question for you as we embark on this journey is, are you ready to hear the full truth? Yes, Jesus came to this earth in human form to save and seek those who were lost from God's love and not to condemn anyone (John 3:17). The fact that the scripture said we need to be saved should be a warning that we are trapped. How have you responded to God's love as Jesus loudly read the verdict that there is light and darkness, and we have a choice to make? "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).This is your opportunity to hear the full story of God's grace, mercy, and love through the Birth-Death-Resurrection of Jesus Christ and his return to complete the second death that is coming to end the devil and his demons' crusades and rebellions against God's will and human souls. There is a harvest that is coming where God will separate the weeds from the wheat. Which seed will you be? Are you ready to live by the truth and come to light for your soul's sake? I pray the answer is yes! Even if you have been going to church all your life, give these series of devotionals a chance. Going to church and becoming the church of God are two different choices that can lead you to God or deceive you into believing you are right with God. To God be the glory!
