[CHRISTIAN DIARIST]

All too many of us do nothing other than make a once a week appearance in church (if that). But the Lord expects those of us whom He has saved to be salt and light in this fallen world of ours.

[sr4402]

Pray that we may see the Good Works, which God has prepared for those who love Him, to Walk in. And to do them in excellence. For He alone is excellence, being the cause of them and worthy of throwing down our crowns - Because it will be obvious that He has done them through us and deserves the glory alone.

[James C. Bennett]

That, while our salvation guarantees us a place in heaven, our works on this side of eternity determine what exactly that place will be in the hereafter.

This sounds more like the Quran.

[ARA]

Forget what Paul said. What did Christ say?

[oh8eleven]

... twelve gates of pearl and streets of pure gold.

If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

[Lowell1775]

Be ecstatic and gleefully thankful to be a backbencher in heaven.

I will carry water for Moses, John the Baptist, the Apostles, etc...any old time....every time for eternity just for the mercy of being let in!

The depth of passion and gratefulness that I feel for this unwarranted “gift” is impossible for me to express. I cling to His promise like a life preserver in a flood.

Mark reporting Jesus’ words on “earning it”

The Parable of the Vineyard Workers
1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Now that says it all.

I caution you to not brag on your works, or even seeking to make them known to others. I caution you to not extort others to “do more” as it leads to vanity, “one upmanship” and legalism as with the Pharisees.

Jesus is not a fan of the lads jockeying for position all the time....if fact he condemns it. Still, they never learn.

Learn. The values and vanity of this world...even worrying about who will first to last in Heaven are childishness to the Lord.

[Lowell1775]

A bit more about not worrying over and A-List in Heaven.

I don’t want to run the club. Don’t need to. I know the owner personally. He will always let his friends backstage.

---

Mark 9:33-37

“33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.”

---

It the simple everyday things we do, not raising armies, cathedrals, or revivals in His name that pleases Him.

[chesley]

I don’t know any other opinion ever found a foothold among bible-believing Christians. Yet, there it is.

[Salvation]

“There are many mansions in my Father’s house.”

[UnwashedPeasant]

Here is a serious question:

Suppose Bob personally evangelizes and brings 10 people to Christ in his hometown. And suppose his brother Sam funds the distribution of 100 Bibles thru an evangelical charity that will, therefore, bring an additional 1000 people to Christ in China.

Who will have the greater Reward? Bob or Sam?

[GreyFriar]

Sorry Folks, only 144,000 get into heaven. They are already there. Now the “bumping begins” just like at the Indianapolis 500.

Now that I’ve made my sarcastic comment. Jesus gave us the gift of salvation and eternal life with Him in heaven, that is enough for me.

[Sirius Lee]

Even the nosebleed seats in heaven over next to the rest rooms have to beat the obamahell we are living in.