HIS CONSTANT
VERDICT:
By Prof Ben Onyeukwu
One irrevocable verdict that determines one's entry into the Kingdom of Heaven, or otherwise, is the one, in which, JESUS CHRIST, our LORD, and the only SAVIOUR says, "I tell you the truth, unless you repent, you will all likewise perish". This strong worded statement cannot be replaced with any form of religious zeal or duty, that goes without a practical evidence of repentance.
The verdict, also, cannot shield or exempt those with holier-than-thou-attitude, in which certain religious folks consider themselves as better than others, simply because of their religious inclinations, or just because they are not victims of certain misfortunes or ordeals.
The above cited category of people, were the type JESUS CHRIST addressed, when they told HIM that, "there were at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish".
From the scriptural narrative in focus, it becomes obvious that sinners are not rated or judged by their fortunes or misfortunes, or by the quantum of sins they have committed, but by refusing a simple call to repentance. To concretize His irrepelleable decision never to allow the nonrepentant sinners into the Kingdom of Heaven, JESUS CHRIST equally asked the already cited religious sinners, if they as well, considered the eighteen individuals on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed, as the worse sinners than all other persons who dwelt in Jerusalem? This question was again followed, by the same verdict, "I tell you the truth, unless you repent you will all likewise perish".
In conclusion, please, deduce from today's message that, no sinner will ever have access to Heaven, without a genuine repentance and acceptance of JESUS CHRIST, as their personal LORD and SAVIOUR, no matter the degree of services they rendered to GOD and humanity, while on earth. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL! (See Luke 13:1-5).