Matthew 13:45-46
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
Fine pearls are rare and invaluable, hidden away in the shells of oysters, sometimes found in clams and mussels, and infrequently found naturally in the wild. They are uncommon and costly. These days, there are imitations of pearls sold cheaply. They are replicas of original pearls. However, original pearls are expensive, and not cheap at all.
Heaven is not a common Kingdom, its streets are paved with gold and its gate made with Pearls - Revelation 21:21 . Many people are obsessed with Earth. We can become so earthly focused because we live here. Being Earthly focused is to live in the flesh, fulfilling lustful desires such as
sexual immorality, impurity and lustful pleasures; idolatry, sorcery and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
We may also have idols in our lives like regarding money as more important than God. We could harbour unforgiveness and thus hinder God from forgiving us. Jesus warned that many will resort to the wide road that leads to eternal damnation. This is the road without Jesus, where the Holy Spirit is not the tour guide. Where fleshy desires as mentioned above are dominant.
Nevertheless, the wise and discerning will seek God's Kingdom with all that they have. It will be priority in their lives, for they know its worth and are willing to take the narrow road. The narrow road is costly. It is like saving all your money for one costly holiday. But it is worth it, for you pay nothing for starters - salvation is free through Jesus Christ. The cost you may incur is the cost of probably losing family and friends because of your faith; being mocked and persecuted.
It is not costly to walk in the Spirit when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. This is because the Holy Spirit enables us to bear His fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. At times, when our human side wars with our new faith, we may struggle to bear this fruit, but if we have the right heart and attitude towards God, and seek His help, He will help us to be like Him.
So now, ask yourself this question - Am I on the narrow or wide road? Am I bearing the cost for the best holiday of my life - eternal life on a land with golden streets and pearly gates?
Would you be like the merchant that sold all he had for the pearl of good value? Or would you rather buy lots of cheap replica pearls and lose the pearl of good value?
THINK ON THIS!
WHAT IS NEXT?
