Be Ye Doers. . . Of The Word!

Editor's Note: In the first part of this article, Brother Hoyt discusses several passages of Scripture that have be used by various people as proof texts for their contention that the Bible teaches the doctrine of degrees of reward and punishment. Following is the conclusion of his article.

Luke 15:11-32 reads, "Jesus continued: 'There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, "Father, give me my share of the estate." So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men." So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate. Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. "Your brother has come," he replied, "and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound." The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, "Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!" "My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."'

This is one of the Bible's most heart-felt stories concerning forgiveness. The prodigal son certainly did not deserve the opportunity to return to the father's household, but due to the love of the father — the son was welcomed back. God is trying to teach us the real meaning of love. Yet, the older son was unforgiving and is seen by most Bible students as the real prodigal of the story.

Once while I was working in a steel mill in northern West Virginia, I had a fellow worker poke fun at Christ and His church. As I attempted to converse with him concerning the love of God and the danger of Hell, he replied that he knew that he would be going to Hell — but since most of his friends would be there, they would just have one big party. In attempting to change his mind I said to him, "If I would attempt to run through the hot (2700 degrees) coke oven and take you with me, would I have any less pain from the burning and the heat?" He said, "Heavens no, you and I would be so concerned about our burning and pain that we would not even know one another was present." My response was, "That is just the way it will be in Heaven and in Hell. One will be so much in either pain or rejoicing that he will not be thinking of others, whether they are receiving less punishment or more rewards than he."

Now, the important question that each of us must answer is — Are we ready to meet Jesus when he comes? The question is not if our spouse is ready, or our children, or our parents — but are we as individuals ready to meet our Maker.

The Bible teaches that one must:

Believe In Jesus as Savior (Acts 16:31)
Repent of sins (Acts 17:30)
Confess Christ Audibly (Acts 8:37)
Be Baptized In Water (Acts 2:38)
Live A Christian Life (Acts 14:22)

When one obeys the Lord in becoming a Christian, He adds him/her to His Church (His "Called Out Followers"). Therefore, one needs to identify with a local congregation of Bible studying and dedicated believers. One needs to do this so that a person may be nourished spiritually and can share in opportunities to use various God-given talents to serve the Lord. The local church is a "Lighthouse" in the community. It is in need of one's abilities and support as much as a person is in need of the church. May each of us be understanding that it is only by God's grace that anyone can be forgiven of sins and have the opportunity for Heaven.

All Scriptures quoted are from the New International Version.

For PArt 1 of this article see: Are the Degrees of Punishment or Rewards in Eternity
Taught in the Scriptures? Part 1