Saved at the Last Minute

I’ve had so many incidents that I thought seemed hopeless, but at the last minute, something changed the entire situation. I’ve had spiritual last-minute situations and I’ve had physical last-minute situations. I can recall several last-minute situations from a financial perspective. I wasn’t prepared for The Great Recession that lasted a few years. I was literally saved and blessed at the last minute by a transaction that caught me up financially and allowed me to plan. I don’t like last-minute crisis. I would rather be prepared well in advance.

Jesus told a story about the Kingdom of Heaven that still troubles people today about last-minute salvation. He doesn’t call it that, but it is clearly implied. Check this out….

¹“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. ² He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work. [9 AM the landowner hired more people. 12 Noon he hired more people. 3 PM, he hired more people. 5 PM, he hired still more people. He told them all “he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day”.]

⁸ “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. ⁹ When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. ¹⁰ When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. ¹¹ When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, ¹² ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’

¹³ “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? ¹⁴ Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. ¹⁵ Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’

¹⁶ “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” (Matthew 20:1-2, 8-16 NLT)

Jesus is giving another insight into God’s economic model….

1. People who are saved on their death bed are just as saved as those who have been Christ-followers for years.
2. The people first to the table will be the last to be served.
3. He welcomes all who will come to Him.

I think the people who follow Jesus early in life have a totally different perspective on life.

1. We live with hope early on.
2. We do not fear death the same way.
3. We’ve had the privilege of eating from His table for years.
4. As we got to know the heart of God, we see and experience His Grace and we follow Him out of love, honor, and respect rather than fear of hell.

As I study scripture, I realize that God’s economic model may be opposite of what I’m accustomed to, it’s still right side-up and consistent with the heart of God. He wants to give everyone the opportunity to have the gift of eternal life. Jesus came to earth to open the door and invite all who believe in Him to come in and receive eternal life. Even if it’s at the last minute, cry out to Him and surrender to Him!

Pressing On!

Dwayne