Grace and Works

by David Shannon

David Shannon Matthew 20:1-16) gives us insight to the fact that God's salvation comes by grace and not by a merit system. Notice verse one begins, "For the kingdom of heaven is like..." Jesus taught several parables to help us understand what the kingdom of heaven is "like." Here we learn the reward of heaven is the same for all who respond to the Lord's invitation into His kingdom and work to the close of day. It may seem to have some contradictions, but study closely and you will see it doesn't. We are not saved by our works, but He only saves those who are willing to obey His invitation to work in His Kingdom. In other words we are saved by grace, but those who are saved work in the Lord's kingdom. Consider a few aspects of the story. The day in this story represents life. The close of day represents Judgment. The payment represents eternal life. The ones who had worked since the early hours of the morning surely represents those who come to the Lord, serving Him for many years of their life. Others, because of a short life-span or refusing His invitation until late in life, serve in the kingdom only a short while, but by God's grace they all receive the same eternal reward! It would be a terrible conclusion to suggest that Jesus was promoting us to wait until late in life to come to Him, for in so doing we risk our own souls, as well as lose many opportunities to be a godly influence for others. Urging us to not procrastinate is a part of the reason Jesus taught the three lessons in Matthew 25. In this chapter we learn that the foolish virgins didn't prepare and were left out; the man who was given one talent, buried it and was cast out. The final verses give us a glimpse of Judgment as it is divided with the goats on the left being sent away to everlasting punishment (vr 46). The goats lived their own lives selfishly, failing to see or help others. The sheep served others on earth because this is a part of Kingdom work. Back to Matthew 20, notice the reward is never passed out to quitters, but to those who work until the close of day ( 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 2 Peter 2:20-22). When should we start? As soon as we know the invitation. What should we do? His will. For how long? To the close of our life. What will we receive? Eternal life with Him. What do we receive on this earth while we are working? Peace in knowing we are fulfilling our purpose in life ( Ephesians 2:10). We also choose to be like Christ, becoming unselfish. Unselfishness opens our eyes to see others needs. Unselfishness helps us to see the scriptures as a guide, instead of just a good book. Unselfishness is at the heart of a genuine relationship with God and others. The truth is that the things of greatest importance become valued and protected when we become God's servant in His vineyard. To procrastinate is to be deceived. Only learning God's will (the scriptures) reveals the truth. So what does Matthew 20 teach? God's grace. We don't deserve to be invited into His kingdom, but we are. Let's enter and work until the close of our life to receive the reward.

• Worthy To Serve -Dec 10, 2000