FromNowUntilForeverBook8.5x5.5 REV.indd

Anybody could have.”

“The way of the lazy is a hedge of thorns . . .The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work . . . How long will you lie down, O sluggard?When will you arise from your sleep? (Proverbs 15:19, 21:25, 6:9). Tragically, because the negligent servant failed to put his mina to work, it was taken from him and given to the one who had ten. “Not fair” you say.That’s what Jesus’ listener thought, saying, “Master, he has ten already” (Luke 19:25) – to which Jesus responded, “I tell you that everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away” (Luke 19:26). This statement points to a kingdom principle that many find difficult to digest. For the believer, life on earth is as bad as it’s ever going to get. For the unsaved, it’s better than it’s ever going to be. Such was certainly true among citizens who rejected their master’s authority (Luke 19:14). As a result of their rebellion and opposition, they were brought before the nobleman and executed in his presence. Although the outcome seems severe, it points to the future that awaits those who reject Christ’s free pardon of sin. As T.W. Manson, a New Testament scholar in the first half of the 20 th Century, so aptly explained, “We may be horrified by the fierceness of the conclusion; but beneath the grim imagery is an equally grim fact, the fact that the coming of Jesus to the world puts every man to the test, compels every man to a de- cision. And that decision is no light matter. It is a matter of life and death.” 70 While it’s too late for the disobedient in the above para- ble, it’s not too late for you. Use the gifts the Spirit has given you before you lose them. It’s a matter of eternal consequenc-

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