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When the bible says that God is not a respecter of person, or He doesn't show any favoritism (Romans 2:11), it is a pronouncement that the heaven’s rule prevails much especially in terms of rewards. In simple words, those who are worthy will get the same reward as promised, at the end of their journey.
The parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) explains how the kingdom of heaven operates when it comes to the rewards. In the above mentioned parable, the master of the vineyard agrees to pay one denarius for everyone who worked, regardless of the time they were hired. But in the end, some grumbled because the master paid the same one denarius to everyone, even to those who were hired late in the day. In fact, the master wasn’t unfair since he gave everyone what he had promised in the beginning. This is how the godly kingdom operates – there is no one is first or last, when they come to the real faith in God. According to the people of this world, it is quite unfair; but to God, gathering his people at various time periods, is the fulfillment of his promises – and surely, He will never break a promise.
It is very common in today’s churches that believers often boast about their faith, measured in the number of years. I suppose, if we are not living according to the real faith, any number of years in such bogus-faith is invalid. Presumably, people give more importance to the church activities in these days, likely forgetting the original concept of righteousness and obedience mentioned in the bible. Of course, it is good and acceptable to do various faith related activities in the Christian settings; but caution to be made that none of such activities should determine any personal benefits, which jeopardizes the credibility and functionality of the believer. As per the scriptures, if you love the Lord, you will obey His commands unconditionally (John 14:15). And when the bible says, faith without action is void (James 2:17), it is not necessarily indicating all the activities in the man-made churches, but the actions of obedience to the word of God.
It is imperative to understand that the criteria for the heavenly-rewards is not the longest stay being a Christian; instead, it is the true call which makes the believer flourish in the true faith till the end. Therefore, learn and understand the rules of the heavens, as it stands for the quality of our faith, not the length of our lukewarm-belief. Amen.
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