LAID UP FOR ME!

Thursday, January 10, 2019

LAID UP FOR ME!

2 Tim 4:7-8

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

           Do you sometimes doubt that you will make heaven in spite of your best efforts? Perhaps that is your problem. Our entrance into heaven is “not by works of righteousness which we have done. It is by virtue of His mercy.” (Titus 3:5) Had I been given a key to keep I would have, by this time lost it. If I had been dressed in white and told to keep clean, like a child, I surely would have smudged it. No, my entrance to heaven is a reservation. It is laid up for me.

           The words “laid up” is from the Greek apokeimai and actually means “reserved; an appointment.” Imagine a fine restaurant to which you can not simply walk in and sit down. You phone ahead and arrangements are made for a table at an appointed time. Throughout the busy day you may even forget that you have a date but at the close of the day you grab your coat, turn out the lights and head to this fine place.

           Upon arrival you are met at the door and you give your name. The maître d’hôtel checks the list and finds your name. Although crowded, there is an empty table with a folded reservation card. Upon that card you see your name inscribed. Your reservation is secure.

           Paul knew that he had a reservation along with “all them also that love his appearing.”

2 Peter 1:10-11

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Luke 12:37

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Dear Lord, I know there is laid up for me wonderful things not because I am a paying customer but because I am an invited guest and the cost has already been paid by another. AMEN