Some people want to be spiritually connected with God but come with too much past baggage.  So much baggage that they feel too unworthy that God will ever forgive them.  Their sense of unworthiness and possibly a mental block causes their lack of faith and trust in what God promises about eternal salvation.  Could some of this be a result of Satan’s influence?

Mark 10:15 – “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  Often children have a greater trust and faith belief than adults.  Children also have a tendency to feel more secure in their acceptance of others and what they are told.  As adults many times we have a trust problem because of past experiences.    To become a believer we must have the same kind of faith as a little child.

Mark 10:17 – “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  If you understand that there will be a heaven for those who accept Christ and live by God’s ways and a hell for those who reject Christ.  Which of the two consequences are you willing to choose?  Would you not prefer to live in peace forever being provided for by a loving God or destroyed eternally by fire?  Has Satan convinced you that there is no hell?  If not, isn’t heaven an easy choice?  Then why wouldn’t a person seek salvation?

Mark 10:23 – “Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”  It is very difficult for most to give up their self-sufficiency and security and turn it over to God if they lack faith and don’t really trust what God promises them.  Therefore, problem number one is: You must determine the barrier that keeps you from entering God’s kingdom.  Is it past sins and guilt that you believe is unforgiveable?  Is it material assets or things you are presently doing that you are unwilling to stop?  Does knowing you will have to repent and live according to God’s Commandments that is your barrier?  Reorganizing one’s life is most difficult for many.

Christ gives a parable using four types of soils to represent different ways that people respond to the gospel.  You may be open to God about your future but you may not be willing to live as Christ lived.

Mark 4:12 – “they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!”  Is it possible you just do not understand how simple it is to become a Christian?  Have you forgotten that God knows we cannot do life on our own and provided us with the Holy Spirit?  Do you realize that God’s Spirit is with you every second and He will not leave you or stop giving guidance in how you should live and worship God?

Mark 4:14 – 15 – “The farmer sows the word.  Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.”  Satan convinces them the gospel is not for them because of their sinful past.  There is just too much that they need to give up.  They feel no need to prepare for a future life and their only concern is what will make their life better today.

Mark 4:16 – 17 – “Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.”  There are those who hear the Word but do not allow it to go deep into their hearts.  They do not let the Word take roots for spiritual growth.  They may not be willing to give up their present way of life and believe that the devils way is more fun and exciting.  When lusts or friends shame you, you easily give up.

Mark 4:18 – 19 – “Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”  Some hear the word and accept until distractions, conflicts; the worries of life, desire for other things or wealth and material things cause them to give up.

Mark 4:20 – “Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”  Finally others accept the Word, take repentance and a change in how they live extremely seriously.  They are able to completely reject Satan’s influence.  They have a passion to learn about Christ and God’s ways by studying the Bible and praying daily for knowledge and heavenly wisdom.

Some disciples contribute more to ministry than others.  We produce according to our calling.  Is your heart ready to accept salvation and is willing to share the message with others?  Not everyone will accept the message equally.  These are people who are willing to follow Jesus regardless of the cost.  It is a shame that most are not willing to deny themselves and trust Christ to make their lives different.  Are you willing to just barely squeak into heaven or do you want to enter and receive a crown of glory?

Here is what Christ tells us about heaven and eternity:

John 14:1 – 3 – “‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.'”

Jesus is saying that in His Father’s house there are many rooms.  There are enough rooms for everyone.  Many believe we will be assigned to a room dependent upon our deeds and our holiness.  At least some of the early Christians believed this.  Revelation talks about rewards for one’s deeds and service.  Some believe that in Heaven we will have an opportunity to develop and advance.  If God can make the universe in seven days just think what our new earth and new heaven will be like with 2000 plus years of preparation.  Jesus completes the passage by saying I am going to prepare a place for you and then come back and get you.  I believe He is saying:  I am going so when I come for you there will be a safe place to which you can come.  We don’t need to speculate what Heaven is like.  If Jesus and God are there it will be perfect.  God doesn’t make anything that is imperfect!