A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (December 8, 2015)
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:15)
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19-31)
This parable contains a lot of wisdom that we all need to pay attention to:
- Your wealth and status on earth has no bearing on where you will spend eternity.
- You can’t buy a ticket to Heaven.
- Opportunities will be laid at your gate that will test your heart.
- Outward appearances (good or bad) do not determine the condition of a man’s heart.
- Hell is hot and very uncomfortable.
- In Hell, for eternity, you will be able to see what you missed and will never be able to get there (talk about torment).
- The opportunity to reach anyone (including loved ones) from Hell with the Gospel is not going to be possible.
What we learn from this parable (once again) is that God does not measure and evaluate us in the same way the world measures us. Thank God!! This levels the playing field for whosoever will. It does not matter how rich or how tall you are. God is looking at our heart! He wants you to be in Heaven with Him. His Word tells us to look at the things that are not seen (eternal) versus things that are seen, which are temporal. God follows that same advice. His invitation is still open. The ticket has already been paid for. You can pick it up at the “You Call” window.
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
