Salvation Worries

Do we need to worry about salvation?

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, "Then who can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible." Then Peter said in reply, "Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. - Matthew 19:23-30

We tend to worry about something when we are uncertain.

If we do not have enough money in the bank to pay our bills, we worry.

If our child is going off to college alone, we worry.

If the doctor says she wants to do a few more tests, we worry.

We worry about things that are out of our control, but only if we believe there is a threat of danger or something bad happening.

When it comes to salvation, we shouldn't worry.  It is not like we are on line to buy tickets to our favorite concert and there is a chance it will be sold out before we get to the window.

All the seats in the kingdom are not taken.  They may be reserved, but your ticket is already paid for.  

So, why worry?

For those of us who struggle and worry about everyday things, the path to salvation is probably not even on our minds.  It probably should not be on our minds.  It should be a given.  God loves us and Jesus has come to save us from ourselves.

But for those who have nothing to worry about except salvation, maybe it should be on their minds.

That is what I think Jesus is saying when he tells his disciples it will be hard for someone with much wealth to enter the kingdom.

It is not that they have no ticket.

It is more likely they are too preoccupied with their status and wealth to care about others.

And that distraction in life could cause them to fall away from God.

Like the guests at the wedding feast who are too busy to come, they may fail to stand in line for tickets when the concert is about to begin.

More to come...