Prison Ministries

Read Ephesians 3, Psalm 90
Higher Levels

“Don’t ever let anyone call you ‘rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are on the same level as brothers and sisters.” Matthew 23:8 NLT

There are levels for about everything based on education, experience, performance, and ability. We have entry level wages for starting jobs in almost every field. As your experience increases and your ability is proven, you get more pay and more responsibility.

You enter the armed forces at the entry level of private, and you rise through the ranks as your experience and performance increases and your ability is proven.

The kingdom of God works the same way in many respects. The entry level for everyone is receiving the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. We are instantly made righteous in the sight of God, all our sins are forgiven, and we are assured of eternal life in heaven when we die.

In the meantime, we have a life to live on this earth. The quality of our life on this earth and even our life in heaven will often be determined by the levels of education we receive in God’s Word, the experiences we have and how we respond to them, and how well we use the abilities God has given us in accomplishing the purposes for which He created us.

While Jesus Christ’s performance is what assures us of getting to heaven, the parable of the minas and many other scriptures clearly indicate that other rewards await those who achieve a higher level of service and measuring up to God’s standards in the conduct of their lives.

We all need to continually examine our hearts and our actions to make sure that we are growing into the fullness of Christ and living at higher and higher levels of excellence in glorifying Him by being good stewards of the lives we have been given.

Father, help me to live on a higher level. In Jesus’ name, Amen