The Question Of Salvation: Show Stoppers
'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen.
Matthew 22:13-14 (NASB)
Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'
Matthew 25:11-12 (NASB)
Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 25:30 (NASB)
He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left... These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Matthew 25:33, 46 (NASB)*
Among our Teacher’s final Parables are four show-stoppers.
Actors dream of meeting big directors. But the wisest ones want to be prepared… Or great opportunities could be lost.
What about the Ultimate Director? Because EVERYONE will stand before Him. But what if Christians meet Him unprepared?
In The Parable of the Wedding Feast, the king meets an improperly dressed guest (who’s speechless and has a poor ending). Only Jesus can cover our mistakes in a 'Robe of righteousness' (Isaiah 61:10). Without Him, we’re reduced to 'Filthy rags' (Isaiah 64:6).
In The Parable of the Ten Virgins, the five foolish virgins were unprepared to go the distance. Jesus says, 'The one who endures to the end, he will be saved' (Mark 13:13). When carrying the fire of God's Spirit, the beautiful flame must be fed and fanned.
In The Parable of the Talents, God makes our job clear: He wants us to multiply the talents He entrusts to us. If not, He calls us faithless and lazy. 'Without faith it is impossible to please Him' (Hebrews 11:6).
The Parable of the Sheep and Goats reveals the absolute necessity of membership in the Great Shepherd's flock. We must surrender our independence and to join this union. 'My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me' (John 10:27).
Dumb, half-hearted, lazy or stubborn acts are show-stoppers. But in truth, our Father’s show never stops. What surely stops is the stage right entrance of unprepared saints who should know better!
No one wants to hear, ‘I do not know you.’
The Question Of Salvation: Show Stoppers (Part 10)
*The four Parables in order of today's key Scriptures are:
The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14)
The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
The Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.