one question is answered though... why are all the "bad" people still around. Jesus makes it clear that he doesn't want there to be any mistakes. in the end it will be obvious... but now, it's not so obvious. but for me it raises an interesting question of chronology. a number of people who believe in the rapture say that christians are taken first. then all the non-christians either get another chance or they just get to live in hell on earth for a little while. the chronology of this parable seems to suggest that those against God are taken first, then those who have been obedient. hmmmm.
out of all the parables in this chapter i cling to...
v44-46 The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
i remember that day. i remember the joy i had when i discovered that treasure. i didn't fully realize how much i had to sell (give up) to get it, but i knew i wanted it. it's been so worth it. even though i feel like day to day i'm finding more that i need to sell. i wish others to could see the treasure's beauty and sell all they have to get it. there really is no pearl quite like it.
4 comments:
Every "bad" person has the potential to become great, after all. Look at Saul/Paul, who went from persecuting all early Christians to becoming the author of some of the greatest letters of the Bible?
Also, how come the listserv messages stopped coming? Or is that just me?
I just have to agree that the answer in this chapter to one of life's biggest questions made me smile when I read it. It's something that I struggle with a lot, the question of why there is still evil allowed in the world by God, why He doesn't just eliminate every bad heart from the world. And then I read this, that He's more concerned that the good won't be hurt when He makes things right, and it just makes me smile. Over protective, I think, when I read it,
And I agree with the person who posted before me. Every person has the potential to change so much. He's respecting our choice, hoping eternally that we'll come back to Him. How amazingly wonderful!
I still get the listserv messages btw.
It's a matter of free will, really. People must have the choice to do evil available, or why would there be any reward for choosing the right?
And you get the listserv still? Odd. Maybe I accidentally clicked on the unsubscribe button.
cmk, are you getting any listserv messages or was it just the blog one's you're not (or weren't) getting? i didn't send them out last week. giving people some space.
btw, i don't really think of it so much as the free will to give us a reward. i look at it as the only way to have a true loving relationship. i don't want there to be pain... death... abuse... etc. but the only way to have true love is to allow that stuff to take place. my wife's love means so much to me because it's her choice and at any moment she could decide to take it away.
and i agree as well that i believe we all have the potential to follow God. but sadly, we won't all do it.
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