We have been forgiven of our sins which were a debt against us, stored up into our accounts, stored up because of our transgressions under the former covenant; but now we having been reconciled to God in Jesus; the Lord has credited to us a lumpsum, a positive balance to our accounts: to some He gives a talent, to others two talents, even to others still five talents; the credit represents the gifts of the Spirit given to us according to how He sees fit, according to our abilities. For we were born into this world with natural abilities, and we had no say in them; likewise we are born into Christ without say in our gifts, in our supernatural abilities given to us by the Spirit. In the last day, Jesus will return to settle accounts, to collect what we have earned with what was entrusted to us (Matthew 25:14-30). So we see, because of our gifts, we have an obligation to barter and invest to earn more: we are in debt to produce, even after we have been forgiven of our debts. Remember the parable of the four soils? Only one soil was good and fertile, producing a crop - thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times more than what was planted (Matthew 13:3-9). A sign of maturity in Christ is reproduction; as the Scriptures say, "Be fruitful and multiply," (Genesis 1:22) and so we also are fruitful by multiplying with the same seed-bearing fruit. Only when the fruit is mature on a tree, it is harvested; and only when a man reaches a certain age, he is eligible for children. So only the mature in Christ can lead another to Christ; you must be first harvested to life to give life to others. You can only produce in others after your kind; if you're kind is a hypocrite, will those that listen to you be sincere? If you are easily angered, will those who are taught by you be temperate? Only if they stop listening to you first! Fruit is good for multiplying; and we bear fruit by abiding in Christ, the true Vine; for our roots grow downward into Christ and produce fruit upward unto God. By His fruit in us many will be edified. If you are from God, certainly as you cast seed, it will resemble you as you resemble God when it comes to maturity - that is, as long as the soil is fertile and your seed is good. Therefore: abide in Him and bear fruit to God!
Strive to enter through the narrow gate for wide is the way that leads to destruction and many are on it. Many will fight to enter the kingdom, but will not enter. Surely there will be few who inherit the kingdom of God: for there were only eight, Noah and his family, who were saved during the flood when the ancient world perished with water; and only righteous Lot and his two daughters escaped from Sodom which was burned by raining sulfur and fire; and Caleb and Joshua were the only two from 600,000 men who were allowed to enter into the promised land; and even Moses and Aaron who led the people out of Egypt were forbidden to enter the land. [But not all of them who perished in the wilderness won't be eternally saved, for Moses did not enter the promised land, yet he appeared with the Lord during His transfiguration (Mark 9:2-4)] So these are examples unto us, so that we wouldn't follow their bad example of disobedience and unbelief. And it also shows unto us that few will make it into the kingdom of God. [Just as the apostle mentions in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10), and the writer of Hebrews also says in his letter to the believers (Hebrews 3)] So we know that these things pertain to us today and admonish us to not be disobedient and sinful as they were, and perished. For the way is truly narrow, and He is holy whom we serve. As Jesus says, " Many are called, but few are chosen. " (Matthew 22:14)
And concerning the end of time, He says, " When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? " (Luke 18:8)
So therefore, as the apostle says, " My beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. " (Philippians 2:12-13)
We are not even worthy to be a slave and untie the strap of Christ's sandal; as Abigail said to David, "Here is your maidservant, a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord." (1 Samuel 25:41) How much less are we worthy to serve even the disciples of Christ? Yet God gives us opportunity with much carefulness and fear and trembling (Ephesians 6:5). And the Lord Jesus is our example; for He washed the feet of His disciples and gave His life as a ransom to many. Truly we are not worthy of such an honor; as it says, "What is man that You magnify him, And that You are concerned about him.” (Job 7:17) But we are called to live worthy, proving ourselves worthy of the high calling of God. Yea, we can prove ourselves worthy of such a high calling. For the gift was given aside from our merit, but having received the gift, we ought to seek the perfection which is from above; as the apostle of the Lord says, " As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. " (Ephesians 4:1)
And as the Lord Himself says, " He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. " (Matthew 10:37-38)
And by the grace of God, He makes us worthy through suffering; He allows for us to suffer for His name's sake. As the apostle says in his letter, “I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!” (1 Peter 5:12) And in his exhortation he says, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10) For through fire, you are refined and purified and made pure (1 Peter 1:7) "so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.” (2 Thessalonians 1:5) Not that this suffering would be great cause of sorrow unto you, but that you may be filled with the joy of the Spirit of God; as Christ says, " Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. " (Luke 6:23)
So do not be deceived, for the Scriptures clearly state those who will enter the Kingdom and those who will not enter. For nothing unclean will enter into the Kingdom of heaven. As the Scriptures say, " Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. " (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
" There must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. " (Ephesians 5:3-5)
" The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. " (Galatians 5:19-21)
For " The cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. " (Revelation 21:8)
This ought to make us cling to our God and Father and the Lord Jesus Christ even the more, holding fast to the message of the Gospel firmly unto the end: strengthening our grip and being strengthened.
" Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. " (1 Corinthians 15:50)
So it is evident: only the new nature will inherit the kingdom of heaven. As it says, " Sinners in Zion are terrified; Trembling has seized the godless. Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning? He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure. " (Isaiah 33:14-16)
" Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face—even Jacob. Selah. " (Psalms 24:2-6)
" O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken." (Psalms 15:1-5)
As it says, "He who does these things will never be shaken," so then the apostle Peter says, "As long as you practice these things, you will never stumble"; as he says, " Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. " (2 Peter 1:5-11)