I. Jesus Denounces Unrepentant Cities
- In Matthew 11:20-30; Jesus rebuked the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. These cities is where Jesus did most of his preaching, miracles, and healing. People in those cities saw Jesus' mighty works, first hand, but still, for some reason, did not accept him as the messiah and did not repent for their sins. Jesus even mentioned Sodom, which is a place of immorality and unrighteousness, to be more tolerable during judgment day than Capernaum. He explained that if all these miracles were done in the other cities (Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom) that those people would have accepted him and repented a long time ago. Because they have seen these miracles personally and still rejected Him, they were more accountable and their punishments would be more severe, even saying that the city Capernaum "will be brought down to Hades".
- Is this happening with our lives right now? The Bible, the "good news", the "Word" is everywhere. They're in homes, hotels, libraries, book stores, and all over the internet. We go to church, listen to teachings, read the Bible, hear the verses, and do our daily devotionals, but even though, for some reason, we (sinners) still rejected the message and have not asked for forgiveness. We already read the commandments of not committing adultery, idolatry, etc but we still have sexual relationships with someone else other than our wives, we still have statues or idols in the form of a "baby Jesus (Sto Nino)", Mary, or "saints" in our homes, and we still pray to dead people. We heard the message of salvation and being "born again," but we still keep the traditions and reject Jesus' call for change in our hearts. But Why? Because "The god of this age (satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4). We are too focused on getting rich here on earth and pleasing our families and friends that our hearts are hardened. Even though we have read God's message and we know what we are and are not supposed to do, we still choose to ignore Him and follow the ways of the world. We are more focused on what is here on this earth, the material things that consumes our time and body, and the lusts and temptations of this world that we worship. We are made to worship. If you are not worshiping God, then who are you worshiping? It can be another "god", your money, your fame, a person, or even yourself. It might be your parents or friends that you are trying to please so much. Remember,
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" -Matthew 6:24.
- In Matthew 11:20-30; Jesus rebuked the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. These cities is where Jesus did most of his preaching, miracles, and healing. People in those cities saw Jesus' mighty works, first hand, but still, for some reason, did not accept him as the messiah and did not repent for their sins. Jesus even mentioned Sodom, which is a place of immorality and unrighteousness, to be more tolerable during judgment day than Capernaum. He explained that if all these miracles were done in the other cities (Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom) that those people would have accepted him and repented a long time ago. Because they have seen these miracles personally and still rejected Him, they were more accountable and their punishments would be more severe, even saying that the city Capernaum "will be brought down to Hades".
- Is this happening with our lives right now? The Bible, the "good news", the "Word" is everywhere. They're in homes, hotels, libraries, book stores, and all over the internet. We go to church, listen to teachings, read the Bible, hear the verses, and do our daily devotionals, but even though, for some reason, we (sinners) still rejected the message and have not asked for forgiveness. We already read the commandments of not committing adultery, idolatry, etc but we still have sexual relationships with someone else other than our wives, we still have statues or idols in the form of a "baby Jesus (Sto Nino)", Mary, or "saints" in our homes, and we still pray to dead people. We heard the message of salvation and being "born again," but we still keep the traditions and reject Jesus' call for change in our hearts. But Why? Because "The god of this age (satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4). We are too focused on getting rich here on earth and pleasing our families and friends that our hearts are hardened. Even though we have read God's message and we know what we are and are not supposed to do, we still choose to ignore Him and follow the ways of the world. We are more focused on what is here on this earth, the material things that consumes our time and body, and the lusts and temptations of this world that we worship. We are made to worship. If you are not worshiping God, then who are you worshiping? It can be another "god", your money, your fame, a person, or even yourself. It might be your parents or friends that you are trying to please so much. Remember,
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" -Matthew 6:24.
II. God's Decision Are Just and Merciful
- In Romans 9:19-26, Paul said that we don't have the right to question or demand anything from God who created the heaven and earth. We are in no place to ask why God did not create us to be configured as robots who will live "holy" lives so He would not find fault in us. Paul then reminded us that if God wants to be really fair, then He will just send us all to the fires of hell because we all deserve it for being ungodly sinners. But because He loves His people so much, He decided to give us a road to salvation. This road is only one way: either we accept Jesus and repent or we are thrown to the fires of hell.
15 Drink water from your own cistern,
And running water from your own well.
16 Should your fountains be dispersed abroad,
Streams of water in the streets?
17 Let them be only your own,
And not for strangers with you.
18 Let your fountain be blessed,
And rejoice with the wife of your youth.
19 As a loving deer and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
And always be enraptured with her love.
20 For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman,
And be embraced in the arms of a seductress?
21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord,
And He ponders all his paths.
