(Mat 19:30 NKJV) “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Despite the short length of this verse and the apparent simplicity of it, this verse is really very important and has much more meaning than it appears to have at a quick glance!
Most times we hear this verse used when people are teaching about putting others above ourselves and caring for others unselfishly.
In reality, though, if you read the verses that follow this one, you’ll see that Jesus was talking about something entirely different than that.
Jesus went on to share a parable that taught the disciples that when someone comes into the kingdom of heaven… becomes a follower of Christ and has their name written in the Lamb’s book of life, that person is just as saved and is looked upon by God just the same as someone who has been saved for many years.
He was also referring to those who get saved late in their lives, at an older age, when compared to someone who gets saved early in their life, at a young age.
There is no difference in God’s eyes. Once we are washed in the blood of Jesus, we are sons and daughters of the Most High God. Period.
We do not gain seniority in the kingdom of God. Someone who was saved 35 years ago does not have more favor with God than someone who was saved 35 minutes ago.
Obviously, someone who has followed God for 35 years should be more spiritually mature than a recent convert, but in God’s eyes the two are equally saved.
So know this in your heart and never let anyone tell you that God favors longtime Christians over “newborn” Christians. The last shall be first and the first shall be last!
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808
401-377-5400
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