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To Whom It May Concern

Whereas we (Christians) have been taught that ALL scripture is God-breathed, and so should be equally accepted, we will do ourselves a lot of good if we pay a little more attention to the very words of Jesus. Jehovah has told us, “This [Jesus] is My beloved Son with Whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him (Matt. 17:5);” so it is to our own peril if we fail to be very conversant with the very words of Jesus – irrespective of how well we know other portions of scripture.
We want to draw attention to one of Jesus’ several words. In Matthew 21:31b, Jesus said [to them], “truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the harlots will get into the kingdom of heaven before you.” (AMP)
Before we look into the context of these words, we want to highlight a point: that tax-collectors and harlots are regarded among the Jews as the worst of sinners. So Jesus was telling His hearers in essence that these people they regard as the worst of men will get into the kingdom of heaven before them – if they (i.e., his hearers) ever will.
Jesus made this grave statement after He posed a question to His hearers, to which they gave the correct answer. He asked them: “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He came to the first and said, Son, go and work today in the vineyard. And he answered, I will not; but afterward he changed his mind and went. Then the man came to the second and said the same [thing]. And he replied, I will [go], sir; but he did not go. [QUESTION:] Which of the two did the will of the father? They replied, The first one.” (Matt. 21:28-31a)
For our reflection, let us note these salient points:

Son-ship

1: We have here two sons; SONS! Their son-ship was not in question as the father himself acknowledged them as sons. In each case, he said, Son, go and work… The journey to the kingdom of heaven are only for sons – sons of God; born of the Spirit. Hear Jesus in John 3: 5: “Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he CANNOT ENTER into the kingdom of God.” – even if he does all his best to. It’s clear: the kingdom of heaven is the exclusive heritage of the son of God.

Obedience

2: Let us note the question Jesus asked: Which of the two did the will of the father? This will be the sieve that will separate the wheat from the chaff on the Last Day. All may be sons; no issue. But only the son that “goes to work”; that is, the son who has also become a servant, will be honored. Jesus said, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there also My servant shall be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him (John 12:26 MKJV).”
We feel the need to blow this trumpet once again, for in our relationship with people, we have found several non-Christians far more upright and dependable than many of our fellow “sons” and “daughters” of the Living God – vision-seeing, tongue-speaking, Bible-carrying brethren inclusive. By the way, back then in school, in a lecture hall, a fellow student started a discussion with me. He soon asked, “Are you born-again?” I replied in the affirmative. The next question he asked me was, “Do you speak in tongues?” Based on the manner this second question was asked, I couldn't help wondering how much Christianity has been reduced to.

Judgment

Jesus has given us a picture of the Judgment Day, and the things that matter to God. We will do well to keep it in remembrance for it's our KPI (Key Performance Index). You most probably have heard or read this before. But do go over it again.
--- Matthew 25 (MJKV)
[vs.31] But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He shall sit on the throne of His glory. And all nations shall be gathered before Him. And He shall separate them from one another, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. And indeed He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats off the left.
Then the King shall say to those on His right hand, Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [WHY?] For …
• I was hungry, and you gave me food;
• I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink;
• I was a stranger, and you took Me in;
• I was naked, and you clothed Me;
• I was sick, and you visited Me;
• I was in prison, and you came to Me.
Then the righteous shall answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and fed You? Or thirsty, and gave You drink? When did we see You a stranger, and took You in? Or naked, and clothed You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You?
And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you have done it to Me.
--- Matthew 7 (AMP)
[vs.21] Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.
Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who ACT wickedly [disregarding My commands].
---
We conclude with these words of Jesus:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven… For I tell you, unless your righteousness (your uprightness and your right standing with God) is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:16, 20 AMP)”
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