"Does seem unfair, doesn't it?!"
How is this any different than the thief on the cross and someone like Paul or James. All are in heaven with the Father. Or how is it any different than the parable of the farmer who goes into the labor market and pays the same wages to those who were hired early and toiled through the heat of the day and those who were hired late and maybe worked for an hour? It is all in the sovereignty of God and His dispensing of His grace to whomever He wills.
BD, like I said, doesn't seem fair does it? But His ways are not our ways.
You're right on the money, BD. That's the message. I say pecca fortiter and repent in the last moment. Bad boys and slackers get to do all the fun things and they get all the benefits too! Right?
Or how is it any different than the parable of the farmer who goes into the labor market and pays the same wages to those who were hired early and toiled through the heat of the day and those who were hired late and maybe worked for an hour? It is all in the sovereignty of God and His dispensing of His grace to whomever He wills.
= = =
Agreed . . . though I'd exhort keeping in mind . . . "whosoever will, may come."
Unmeritted favor.
Overwhelming Love.
Uppermost authority.
Mercy triumphing over even His Justice.
. . .
While the intellectually constipated and prissy are not content until every last serf has paid every last Chinese fen for every last offense and especially don't forget the Temple tax! And the bill can be produced in quadruplicate, if needed.
Sigh.