On the Outside Looking In
All of us have watched movies where a poor hungry person stands in front of a meat market or bakery staring wide eyed through the window, drooling over some delicacy. They are so close to food they can smell it, which causes their stomach to growl, their glands to salivate. They are so close and yet so far away as they find themselves on the outside looking in at what they desire and need.
There are many church members who have sat through services week after week for most of their lives, who have deceived themselves and become numb to the truth that they are so close to heaven and yet so far away. They are in the building observing and hearing about Jesus, salvation, and heaven, which they desire and need, but are not really experiencing.
It is sad, and we don’t like to think about it, but good people don’t make it to heaven on their own merit. It is only through faith in Jesus. Jesus even says that many will come before Him expecting to get into heaven and He will turn them away.
“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” Matthew 7:22-23
Jesus tells a parable which is recorded in the Gospel of Luke chapter sixteen. It is about a man who finds himself on the outside of heaven looking in and unable to ever enter in. This parable is about two men, one who has everything the world has to offer and another who has nothing.
“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores,” Luke 16:19-20
The rich man is selfish, cares nothing about others and is oblivious to his own needs. The poor man lives in his needs and is conscious of those around him. They both pass from this life into the hereafter. The man who knew his needs and was conscious of others found himself in heaven, at peace, with all his needs met. The man who was selfish and ignored others found himself in hell, tormented and in great need.
“In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:23
Realizing his helpless and hopeless eternal situation, the man in hell finally becomes burdened with his condition and others who are following his example.
“And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’” Luke 16:27-28
Yet it is too late for him and for those who are following his example of disbelief and disobedience. They have all they need and plenty of opportunities to change their ways and believe in Jesus, obeying Him.
“But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.” Luke 16:31
Every person must honestly evaluate their life and ask themselves: am I on the outside looking in? Or have I truly been born again by faith in Jesus, having received the Holy Spirit, having a changed mind and a changed life. This is an eternal life-evaluation and not to be taken lightly. For Jesus says…..
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” John 3:3
Because Jesus loves us,
Bro. Hugh Folds
Matthew 6:33
