This past Sabbath at church the preacher asked how many people believe that Christ died for our sins, and because of that we are saved? Most people raised their hands. Then he asked how many people believe that they’re going to heaven and only a few of those people kept their hands raised.

He then said one of the most profound things I’ve heard. He said on judgement day there will be two sets of people…saved and lost. To the ones who are saved, God says “well done, my good and faithful servant…Enter in” Matthew 25:21. He said we don’t know or have any context on what or why he’s saying well done. On the flip side, to the lost he says, “depart from me, I never knew you”-Mathew 7:21-23. What he says to the lost, gives us context on why he says well done to the saved. And it’s because he knew them. Meaning, all God wants and is asking, is for us to have a relationship with him. We cannot “work” our way to heaven. We are all sinners saved by grace and the only difference between those saved and those lost is the relationship with God. It’s not who paid the most tithes, or who went to church the most, or dressed nicer or held the most church offices. Don’t get me wrong, these things are important but they do not guarantee salvation. It’s about who spent time with him. It’s about those who sought after his kingdom.

He also said that many of us, stop going to church or being a Christian because we are constantly comparing ourselves to others. We are comparing our Christian walk to someone else and we get discouraged when we feel we don’t measure up. That’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Your walk with Christ is your walk and it shouldn’t be compared with others. It should only be compared with yourself. When we realize where we were a year ago, or even a month ago to where we are today, that’s what will keep us propelling forward. When we see how far God has brought us and know that he’s not done with us yet, that will give us the motivation we need to keep pressing on. The songwriter says, “I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining everyday. Still praying as I onward bound, Lord plant my feet on higher ground”. We also have to know and trust that God is always with us. A verse that always stands out to me, is proverbs 24:16, and it says a righteous man falls 7 times and rises again. I love this text because it not about how many times you fall on your walk with Christ, it’s about how many times, you get back up. I leave you with this, take time to know God for yourself. Take 15 mins per day even to just be in communion with him. Whether it’s saying a prayer, or having devotion, reading a scripture or passage, meditating to a song. Whatever it is, take some time out to know God. It will change your life.

Be blessed 🙏🏾❤️