That None Should Perish

Today, I read Matthew 20. In it was the parable of the vineyard workers. In this story, a vineyard owner is hiring people to work in his vineyard for one denarius for the day. (A denarius was a day's wage for a common laborer) He hired workers at various times throughout the day...some as late as 5:00 in the evening. When it came time to be paid, those who had been hired early and those hired last all received the same pay...one denarius. This angered those hired first...

Matthew 20
v.12: 'These last men put in one hour, and you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day and the burning heat.'
v. 13 He replied to one of them, 'Friend, I'm doing you no wrong. Didn't you agree with me on a denarius?
v. 14: Take what's yours and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you...'

When I read this, I couldn't help but think of those people who accept Christ on their death bed. Some of these people may have lived horrendous lives...sinful and unGodly in every way. Then at that final hour, they cry out to God, confess their sins and accept Jesus as their Savior.

Then there are those who find this completely unfair and even question that person's salvation due to the life they lived. There's no way they could live such a life and be saved at this late moment. It wouldn't be fair. We worked so hard living a God honoring life, saying no to sin, going to church, being persecuted; then this person who lived a life doing whatever they wanted to receives the same gift of eternal life because they cried out at the final hour?? No!!

YES!!! God loves us all and doesn't want anyone to perish. There is no time limit on salvation and it is a gift for all who cry out to Him.

THANK GOD!!!!