Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches people to do so will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.  But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:19 HCSB

This morning, I want to ask you a question and I want you to be totally honest.  Who do you consider lowly? Who do you look down your nose at?  Right now, I know some of us “good Christian people” are saying, “Well, no one”.  But if we’re really honest, there is someone that we consider lower than low. Maybe it’s your enemy.  Maybe it’s the prostitute on the street corner or the heroin addict.  Maybe its a child molester.  Maybe it’s a fine, upstanding politician who you know is crooked as a snake. But whoever it is, there is someone that you consider to be a pretty low down person, right?

Okay, good. So, now that we have that out of the way, I can explain why I asked you to think about this.  Matthew 5 is the Sermon on the Mount. In this great sermon, Jesus gives all kind of important instructions for us to live by.  He begins with the Beatitudes.  I’ve heard them described as the attitudes that we should all be like.  The Beatitudes discuss those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart and the peacemakers.  It tells us that these people will be blessed.  Jesus also tells us that if we are persecuted for righteousness, we will be blessed.  If we suffer down here, we have a great reward awaiting us up there.

Here on earth, we all like to build ourselves up.  We like to be considered strong, smart, good looking, or as my friend likes to say, we want to be all that and a bag of chips. Now, nowhere in the bible does it say that if you are a bigshot here on earth that you can’t go to heaven.  We are told in John 3:16 that God sent his only Son to die for our sins and that whosoever believes in Him shall have eternal life.  It doesn’t say only the lowly or the meek shall have eternal life.  It says all who believe in Him.  The bible tells us that we should go to church, but nowhere in the bible does it say if you don’t go to church you can’t go to heaven.  We are instructed to read our bible and pray, but nowhere in the bible does it say that if you don’t do either of these, you can’t get into heaven.

God gives us ten commandments to live by, but nowhere does it say if you violate one of those commandments you can’t go to heaven. Our scripture passage clearly tells us though that you may go to heaven as one of the lowly.  It tells us that whoever breaks the least of these commands will be called the least in heaven.  So, if we are running around not adhering to the instructions in God’s Word, we can still go to heaven but we may find ourselves in a lowly position there.

Our scripture passage also speaks to our witness or the influence that we have over others.  Whether you know it or not, you influence others.  Parents influence their children.  Kids at school influence other kids. Church members influence each other.  Co-workers influence each other.  So, if you influence other to violate God’s commandments, you may have a low position in heaven.  If you influence others to keep God’s commandments, then you may be considered great in heaven.

Think about the person that you consider to be the lowest of the low, here on earth.  Is that how you want to be thought of in heaven?

When I go to heaven, I want a nice place.  I don’t have to be great, per say, but I don’t want to be the lowest of the low either.  I want to be blessed.  Our scripture passage tells me that I can be if I keep His commandments.  It tells me that if I sacrifice being all that down here and assume a lowly position here that I can aspire to permanent greatness in heaven.  It tells me that if I try to use whatever influence I may have down here to encourage others to follow God’s commands, that I will be great in heaven.

We all have to make our own choices, but as for me, I am perfectly content to be a nobody down here.  This is my temporary home.  When I settle in to my forever place, I want to have nice accommodations.  I want to aspire to getting one of those mansions that Jesus talks about preparing for us in John 14:2.

Today, while you are thinking about who you consider to be the lowest of lows, think about being in their position forever and ever.  Think about getting into heaven, but being considered the least.  Is that what you want? Not me, I’m going for the gusto.  I’m going to do all I can to please God while I’m here on earth no matter what that may cause man to think about me.  I want my mansion in the sky and I’m not talking about a penthouse in Manhattan like the Jefferson’s on the TV show.

I decided almost 11 years ago that pleasing man was not working so well for me.  Pleasing God makes life here a whole lot easier and it assures us of a wonderful life in glory with God the Father forever and ever.   So, temporary greatness or permanent greatness? For me, that’s a no brainer.

Have a great day!

l