Have you thought about moving up to a better job lately? If so I have good news for you, Jesus just opened a business anonymously nearby and is actively hiring people like you. I can help send in your resume. This is not completely a joke. If we call Jesus Lord, it is an understatement to say that He is the big boss and we are all working in His company. Jesus came so that He may recruit people to join His company in heaven. And 12the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it. (Matt. 11:12 NET) Everyone who wants to get in must get ready to be interviewed by Him. In this sense, every Christian is lining up here on earth to apply for a permanent offer in heaven.
How do we apply? Jesus told a parable. 14For it (the kingdom of heaven) will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. (Matt. 25:14-15 ESV) In this parable, Jesus is the man, and we as Christians are the servants with various talents. 19Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. (Matt. 25:19 ESV) This is the interview. For those who have passed, 21, 23His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matt. 25:21, 23 ESV) These faithful servants have obtained permanent positions in the kingdom of heaven and proven that they truly belong to Christ.
Where do these interviews take place? Just like all draft centers locate not in the battle front but at home front, the recruit centers for heaven are found on earth, in places near you. As the Bible says, 23Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. (Col. 3:23-25 ESV) Your home and your job are the recruit centers for heaven, and your boss is the appointed agent for Jesus (Rom. 13:1). Just use whatever talents you have to serve your family, your boss, your neighbors, as if you are serving Jesus. Of course, they’re not Jesus, as they are more often found ugly than lovely, yet serve them heartily. By serving them you are serving the Lord. When Jesus returns and settles accounts with you, that will be your interview, in which you will receive the inheritance as the reward, that is, a permanent position in heaven.
Do you think this job interview is hard? Many real slaves in the past have passed the test. Even if you have a tough boss, but I bet you have not been physically beaten or have your meals taken away by your boss. The difficulty of this interview lies not in the intensity of your service, but in the obedience of your heart. Without the inner obedience, we will certainly fail. If we are willing to deny ourselves and benefit others with our labor, the interview is not hard. Jesus will evaluate our service, not according to the worthiness of others, but according to the willingness of our heart. Yes, that is all He is looking for, a willing heart. This is the interview only Christians will be able to pass, or more precisely, those who have passed the interview will be revealed as truly belong to Christ, as it is written, 14For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matt. 22:14 ESV)
Prayer: O Lord! Thank you for calling us with a holy calling! Help us to deny ourselves and follow you. May your Spirit guide us in front, push us from behind, and support us from all sides, that every day we may love you with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength, and love our neighbors, that we may lay hold of the promise of heavenly inheritance.
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