Falling Short
By Ron Boatwright

     What a tragedy it would be if we fall short and fail to receive the heavenly inheritance reserved for us due to our failure.  It is sad that the vast majority of people of this world are entering the wide gate that leads to eternal punishment in Hell.  Jesus says, "for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).  For the majority who are lost there will be no second chance to get it right.  It is tragic for a child of God to fall short and miss Heaven.

     In Matthew chapter 25 the Lord gives the parable of the ten virgins: five foolish and five wise.  The five foolish did not make the necessary preparation for the wedding of the bridegroom.  The wedding began and the door was shut.  Afterward the five foolish "virgins came also saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’  But he answered and said, ‘assuredly I say to you, I do not know you’" (Matthew 25:11-12).  Let’s not be among the foolish.

     We are warned to "beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked" (2 Peter 3:17).  We are to "Let no one cheat you of your reward" (Colossians 2:18).  Our soul is the most precious thing we possess in the world.  "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 10:26).  It is bad enough that those in the world are going to be eternally lost but it is horrible for a Christian to also be lost.  But "some shall depart from the faith" (1 Timothy 4:1).

     We should be very careful for, "let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12).  No one who departs this life with a failing faith can expect to go to Heaven.  "Beware, brethern, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12).  Those who turn back and walk no more with Christ need not expect eternal salvation.  "Therefore, brethern, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10).