A new door by Gary Rose

Change is a hard thing. As you grow older, it becomes MUCH harder. Still, it IS POSSIBLE and with reference to sin, NECESSARY. But, what if you find yourself in a situation where it is just easier to continue doing the same things that you have always done than to please God.

Jesus was confronted with people in a "comfortable" position and here is how HE dealt with the situation...

Matthew, Chapter 21 (World English Bible)

 ²³ When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?” 

  ²⁴ Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.   ²⁵  The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” 

They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ²⁶ But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”  ²⁷ They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” 

He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.   ²⁸  But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’   ²⁹  He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went. (Emp. added, vss. 28,29 GDR)  ³⁰  He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go.   ³¹  Which of the two did the will of his father?” 

They said to him, “The first.” 
Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you.   ³²  For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.

Jesus' response to the chief priests and the elders (vs. 31b-32) seems harsh, but remember- these were the religious leaders of the Jewish people, they should have followed John's call to repentance and CHANGED. They did not believe him because they did not WANT to change; they were happy with their lot in life. They knew what to do, but would not DO IT (vs. 31a). The tax collectors and prostitutes listened and did something about their lives (repented). 

Heaven will be for those who will respond in a GODLY way when faced with the knowledge of sin in their lives. Old sinful ways of living won't open a new door leading to heaven.

Sometimes, you can even learn from a simple mouse...