"So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." Matthew 20:16
While this is a cool passage that I find meaningful, I think, that in reality, it has more to do with God's point of view than it has to do with us. This verse shows up at the end of a parable about workers. They show up at various times throughout the day. Then the owner pays them all the same salary. Those who arrived at the beginning of the day, and thus worked the longest, complain.
'So, I work all day, and you work half a day and we are rewarded the same?'
One could, I think, successfully argue unfairness, at least in our society, but God doesn't work out of an American Judeo-Christian context. Let me repeat that, God doesn't work out of an American Judeo-Christian context.
This may come as a shock to some of you, but if you are a hard working Christian all your life and there is a 'vilest offender who truly believes' on his/her deathbed you will both receive the exact same reward on the other side. This may bother you as much as it bothered the workers in the parable, but remember God gives as God sees fit, not as you do or I do.
+ Does that seem fair to you?
+ Does it bother you that God doesn't live by our rules?
P.S. Some people then may question why they should follow God all of their lives if they will get the same reward as someone who doesn't until the end. To those people I would say the following: Following God is not about 'then', it is about 'now'. God promises us that we will never be alone, God promises that we will have life to the full, God promises many many things that have to do with the here and now, and by following God in life your life will be better. That is why you should do it here and now.
'So, I work all day, and you work half a day and we are rewarded the same?'
One could, I think, successfully argue unfairness, at least in our society, but God doesn't work out of an American Judeo-Christian context. Let me repeat that, God doesn't work out of an American Judeo-Christian context.
This may come as a shock to some of you, but if you are a hard working Christian all your life and there is a 'vilest offender who truly believes' on his/her deathbed you will both receive the exact same reward on the other side. This may bother you as much as it bothered the workers in the parable, but remember God gives as God sees fit, not as you do or I do.
+ Does that seem fair to you?
+ Does it bother you that God doesn't live by our rules?
P.S. Some people then may question why they should follow God all of their lives if they will get the same reward as someone who doesn't until the end. To those people I would say the following: Following God is not about 'then', it is about 'now'. God promises us that we will never be alone, God promises that we will have life to the full, God promises many many things that have to do with the here and now, and by following God in life your life will be better. That is why you should do it here and now.
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