When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

Luke 13:25

Regardless of whether this portion of scripture is talking about children of God or the wicked, we can learn a very valuable lesson from the first part of this single verse. When it comes to partaking of the joys of the kingdom of heaven while here on earth, there can come a time when it’s too late to act. It is possible to be outside the door and knocking with no way to get in.

God is always on time and perfect in the things necessary for our eternal salvation, but after we are born again, He leaves our fellowship in His kingdom here on earth up to us as a matter of obedience.

And this is no small thing.

Mankind was created to give glory to God. In the fall of Adam, we lost the ability to fulfill this calling. When we are born again, we are given faith and made able to please God in obedience.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

When Paul says that God ordained this, he does not mean that God predestinated that we would do good works. BUT He did declare that good works are one of the designs as a result of the new birth.

The Psalmist David understood this and pled with God for deliverance from death so that he could continue praising God here in time on the earth.

For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

Psalms 6:5

Those that have been blessed by the Lord to be regenerated by His irresistible grace should be thankful and eager to serve the Lord. We only have a short time here in this world. Let us make the most of it in thankful praise every moment of every day!

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Romans 13:11