This week in Youth, we studied Matthew 23. The chapter opens by reminding us that we should follow God’s instructions in all our ways. But it also warns religious teachers about “walking the walk” as well as “talking the talk.” In the days of Jesus, as well as now, there are some that do an excellent job teaching the Word, but some don’t always follow the Word. This passage in Matthew 23 uses a rather enlightening illustration of Heaven to give us an idea of how we fail others when we fail to live out God’s commands and teach the Word of God properly.
As we all know, our job as Christians is not just to teach the Word of God (the Great Commission), but to live out the life of God. Jesus gives us an illustration concerning our job as His witnesses when we fail God and others:
Matthew 23:13 - “you shut the door to the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces.”
I don’t know of a better illustration than that. We can open the door to Heaven BY TELLING OTHERS ABOUT GOD, or we can hold it shut. . . . It’s our choice.
My question to you is will you OPEN the door or hold it SHUT? Unlock the door for others TODAY, don’t wait! Tell them about God today!
