Let Him Have His Way: A Question Of Cutoff Point!
(Part 1)
Matthew 5
KJV
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
41+ And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Indeed, humanly speaking these are requirements that are difficult to observe! If this were a test many are those who will fail to meet the passmark. They will skip this section and move to the next.
Unfortunately in the case of believers answering them forms part of what will qualify him/her to make the grade, so he/she cannot skip them!
Indeed, beloved, if the “cutoff point” is not lowered, most of us will not make it! True!!
The issue of “ cut off” point does not feature in our church vocabulary but it is there and real except that either we deliberately ignore it or are ignorant of it!
The concept of a “cutoff” is there in the OT, it is what the concept of the “ remnants “speaks to.
Isaiah 1
KJV
9+ Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
Lamentations 3
KJV
22+ It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Isaiah 10
KJV
21+ The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
22+ For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
Romans 9
KJV
29+ And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha
The concept of “ cutoff” is embedded in what was called “ the remnant “ in the OT! .
Jesus said the same thing but in a different way. Read it ;
Matthew 7
KJV
21+ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22+ Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23+ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The “ cutoff point” forms the basis on which the above was said by Jesus. Those he referenced did not meet the cutoff!
It is this very same “ cutoff “as a criterion that Peter points to when he wrote;
1 Peter 4
KJV
17+ For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
The “cutoff point” will be applied to even Christians! So please, Beloved know this, our entry or acceptance into Heaven requires that we each make the pass grade It is not enough to attend or profess to be a church member.
Do not be misled into thinking or believing that just attending and observing worship requirements is enough to earn you a place in Heaven. It takes more than these
Whatever it is we must make the grade.
1 Corinthians 10
KJV
12+ Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Job 31
KJV
6+ Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.
Daniel 5
KJV
27+ TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
Read how Paul expressed it;
1 Corinthians 9
KJV
27+ But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Part 2 follows!