The Difference

PK’s Corner                                                  

November 2013

Luke 18:14 “I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

Do you know the difference between a tax collector and a Pharisee?  Both were in the temple, both were praying to God, both were men of prayer.  The difference was this, the Pharisee saw himself as a shining example of what a godly man should be and thus did not see his own short comings and sins.  The tax collector knew what he had done and was doing.  He knew that heaven was not for people like him.  The tax collector knew that all he could ask for was mercy, he deserved nothing.  Interestingly enough, the tax collector left blessed by God.

When the end of time comes, there will be a separation of people.  Some will go to be in Heaven, and others will go to Hell.   What we often forget is the only difference between the two peoples is that while both were sinners, only those bound for heaven asked for forgiveness and mercy. 

People seem to have forgotten about consequences, and have start trying to justify their mistakes and sins.  It hurts us to think that we might have to regret something, so we hide it in our locker and tell people that we have it all under control.  The reality is oh so different.

Asking for forgiveness is the first step to a new life in Christ.  Asking for forgiveness means you are ready to let God work in you to become a new creation.  We are all called to be new creations, but only if we accept Christ.

Heaven and Hell is a choice.  You can choose to live in heaven, or can choose to live in a place where it is always hot, no air conditioning.  I pray you will choose Heaven and God’s forgiveness in your life.   ( …for further reading  look at Luke 18:9-14)

Amen