Nothing You Did in the Past Guarantees Your Salvation
But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) - well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. (Galatians 2:6)
The ineluctable word of God, as it is written in the holy scriptures, is inextricably linked from so-called OT to NT. Old and new are divisions, labels and categories that we use as an excuse to get out of reading the entire Bible. The Bible, in its entirety, with the fullness of context, is of the utmost importance to our lives. It is the story of our salvation, and His kingdom is at hand. Be vigilant. Now, we shall look at the same good message that is given to the Prophet Ezekiel and to Saint Paul healer of the sick.
But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) - well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. (Galatians 2:6)
And you, mortal, say to your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not save them when they transgress; and as for the wickedness of the wicked, it shall not make them stumble when they turn from their wickedness; and the righteous shall not be able to live by their righteousness when they sin. Though I say to the righteous that they shall surely live, yet if they trust in their righteousness and commit iniquity, none of their righteous deeds shall be remembered; but in the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Again, though I say to the wicked, “You shall surely die,” yet if they turn from their sin and do what is lawful and right— if the wicked restore the pledge, give back what they have taken by robbery, and walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity—they shall surely live, they shall not die. None of the sins that they have committed shall be remembered against them; they have done what is lawful and right, they shall surely live. (Ezekiel 33:12-16)
Feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and incarcerated, blessing your enemies and forgiving people are right and just acts. But, whether you have done these acts thrice, thousands of times or never, means nothing for your fate on judgement day. God prioritizes the current moment. What are your thoughts toward God right now? Do you want to live in your own way, and count God as evil, or do you want to submit to His way with love? In a single moment the most righteous man can fall, and the most wicked man can arise. Never doubt that the grace of the Holy Ghost is maximally powerful. Bow down and beg for His grace at least as long as you would spend at the movie theaters, shopping or browsing Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. God does not care whether you are a billionaire, homeless, black, white, purple, fat, skinny, tall, short, nappy, book smart, charismatic et cetera. God wants you to repent, no matter who you are and whatever fleshly honors and accolades you think you deserve. Remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. When we return, we will take nothing with us that moth and rust can corrupt. Stack your treasures wisely. God wants you to say, "I am a sinner, and you (God) are the only road to righteousness." This is the wise way to stack your treasure in the heavens.
We must keep repentance in our minds at all times, and rejoice in the Lord of second chances. All of our sin amounts to robbery, because it is a waste of time that we owe to God for the ministering of His current sheep and the expanding of the flock. Nothing you did in the past guarantees your salvation. Only what you do now matters for the inheritance of eternal life. We don't know when He will finally judge us. Are we ready?
Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on us sinners.
Furthermore, we must love each other.