Lent Day 5 - Believing is Not Enough

For I was hungry and you gave me food,

I was thirsty and you gave me drink,

a stranger and you welcomed me,

naked and you clothed me,

ill and you cared for me,

in prison and you visited me.'

'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did

for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'

The boy was twelve years old when he accepted the Lord as his savior. The preacher told him he was saved.  The boy grew into manhood and led a life of evil.  He lived life with the attitude that if it benefited him it was good.  He died a rich old man who was fattened on the spoils of a selfish life.  When he stood before Jesus, it was not as a savior, but as the just judge.  The boy asked Jesus why he could not enter heaven. Jesus said it is because you lived your life for yourself and so you reaped your reward on earth and never thought of Me or My Kingdom at all.  You have no place here.  The boy pointed out to Jesus that he had accepted Jesus as a savior when he was twelve years old and he was claiming his rights under the Once Saved, Always Saved doctrine.  Jesus shook his head and asked him where he had heard of this doctrine.  The boy explained how the preacher told him that once he accepted Jesus, he could never be kept out of heaven.  Jesus then explained to him that just believing in Him does not qualify him for heaven.  To just believe is not enough. You have to live your life in the way that I did, I sacrificed my life for all.  I gave until there was no more to give. I loved without end.  Believing in me is a good start but you needed to serve me during your life.  The boy said to Jesus, "If I had seen you in need, I would have moved heaven and earth to help you."  Jesus then showed a moment from the boy's life where he had passed a man who was asking for a handout.  The boy walked right by without even seeing the man.  Jesus told him, "That was me."  He showed him another scene, this was a great mass of people, there were many children.  They were looking through garbage cans for something to eat.  The scene changed to the boy in a restaurant eating a huge meal.  Jesus said, "Those children, they were me."  On and on it went, Jesus showed the boy the times he could have helped but chose to help only himself.  Their time together was over.  Jesus turned and walked silently back to heaven. The boy, tears in his eyes, knew he could not follow. He turned and went the other way.