Bible Reading: 1 Sam. 30 & 31. Luke 13:19-35.
“And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.” – Luke 13:30 (KJV)
There are a number of people that gave their lives to Christ a number of years ago and lived as Christians but have now backslidden. What happens to those people if Jesus should come now? They will not be known to Christ because they have neglected their first love. This is what happened to the Church at Ephesus that Jesus Christ told them of how they had shown hatred for evil, tried fake apostles and revealed them as liars and has shown patience and laboured for things of God without fainting. ( Rev 2:1-3). However, Jesus Christ told them in Revelation 2:4-5 (KJV), “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Thus the Church at Ephesus may miss heaven unless they repent.
This is the state of a number of Christians today as a lot of things are contending for their faith and those who were zealous for the lord in the past are losing their salvation as they allow the world to get more of their time. These days, work, family pressure, financial challenges, peer pressure among others are making several to abandon their faith in Christ in search of faster results. Such people who gave their lives early but later backslidden cannot make heaven while those who make up their mind for Christ no matter how close to their grave will make it. Thus the bible tells us in Luke 9:62(KJV), “And Jesus said No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” But that who laughs last laughs best as was the case of the robber who was crucified with Christ. Imagine him with Judas Iscariot. While Judas who gave his life to Christ, followed him for about three years and preached the gospel to others ended up in hell, the robber who was crucified with Christ only accepted Jesus at the point of death but was saved! Luke 23:43 (KJV) reports, “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
This gives a valid example of Jesus statement in Luke 13:30 (KJV), “And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.” This is why it’s important we examine ourselves every day to check if we still remain in Christ to ensure we make it to heaven.
Prayer: Father, please give me the grace to make it to heaven in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero