HEAVEN IS FOR THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY


By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi
Luke 18:21  "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said. NIV  
      This young man's claims to being faithful in keeping the laws of Moses were obviously untrue and despite his deceitfulness in business and his hypocritical worship Jesus' love for him never seized. God loves sinners(John3:16) .
      No human being regardless of how pious he or she may claim to be can keep the commandments. Those folks who derive joy from intimidating others with their religious achievements while claiming to keep the commandments have simply devised ingenious ways to conceal their lies which eventually will be brought to the open Eccl 7:20”There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins” this includes the Bishops, Reverends,Apostles, General Overseers, Prophets , Monks,Imams etc.That is why we need a saviour : a guarantor to our salvation. Religion cannot guarantee a person's salvation because it has no cure for a guilty conscience.
     Jesus tested the young religious businessman in the area of priorities: God is to be placed above all in our lives at all times  Ex 20:3 NIV , and also on love and covetousness, the law says "Thou shall not covet..." (Ex. 20:17). Very often we are shown tough love by our lord through life’s circumstances whenever we position ourselves above correction. This was what informed Jesus' answer to the businessman when He told him to sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor (Vs21).He had no love for the poor. Religious acts of kindness are often aimed at massaging the ego and to quench the embers of a guilty conscience. 
        Jesus' answer was not intended to embarrass the young man or make him poor, but it was an act of love and intended for his own good. He was ruled by money instead of  God and it had to be dethroned before he could  have a meaningful relationship with Jesus . He lacked the only ingredient for salvation: faith ( a total reliance on God) without which no man can please God. He had more confidence in his wisdom than in the gift of grace through Christ . So many people are making the same error today. They have more confidence in there religious devotion instead of God..Those claiming to be good are living in denial. We cannot be saved until we acknowledge our errors.  An individual must acknowledge his or her sins to enjoy the gift of salvation .
     A gift is of no value until received likewise God  has provided a one way ticket for the salvation of mankind, everyone  has been justified freely by God's grace. That does not mean everyone is saved.   Grace alone cannot save a person. Although the price has been paid for the sins of the whole world, only those who receive it by faith will benefit from the salvation that Jesus freely  offers . 
Prayer : Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you , I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation, I receive him as lord and saviour and receive grace and overwhelming peace in the midst of crisis in Jesus name. Amen.
Free prayer/counseling +2348098536911,+2348035536911, email:michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
Pics credit : pixabay / Adian voicu

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