The Last Shall Be First

My experience has been that no matter how friendly I am, no matter how circumspect I am with presenting aspects of my Waltenschauung with others, if there is no almost immediate agreement, they are the party to separate, to exclude or cut off their communication. [separate: aphorizo - to set off by boundary, limit, exclude]

Speak is a verb, an action word. I am commanded to "speak (what you believe to be) the truth with love." Ephesians 4:15 For simply doing what we are commanded to do, (see verses 11-14) there is erected, by them, a boundary between us.

For this we should be glad.

"Blessed are you when men hate you and when they separate from you and they reproach and they cast out your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy; for, behold your reward is great in heaven; for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."

This response is nothing new. The prophets were separated from - and stone - since the beginning. This response is in fact, quite common. And to be expected.

Repent ( metanoeó) is also a verb meaning to "re-think." Few there are who are willing to re-think their thinking, rethink their understanding, change their mind and to turn in another direction once they realize they were in error. What matters is: are we are doing our will, what we think we should be doing, or the will of our Father, which is in heaven?

Rewards are not handed out to everyone who believes they deserve one: but to those who do the Father's will. 2

1 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7)

These people think they are doing "many wonderful works," when in fact, they are "workers of iniquity." "The first shall be last, and the last shall be first."

Those who we least expect may just be those who rise to the top step in "that day."