The Real Heart Of The Matter

At the core of all these posts, there is one central theme (or there should be, if I am writing correctly).

Everything I am writing is about being real – being sincere – and not just going through the motions.

Jesus was concerned with matters of the heart.  He preached about repentenance, and about truly loving God:

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“‘The first,’ they answered.”
“Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.  For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.” – Matthew 21:28-32

Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.  Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” 
He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ 
“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’
“But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’
“There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.  People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.  Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” – Luke 13:22-30

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. – Mark 12:30

You can’t be a lukewarm Christian and expect to go to Heaven.  Your love needs to be real.  Your repentance needs to be real.  Be sincere in following God.  Search your heart for the truth.  If you find that you haven’t been sincere, that you haven’t really been pursuing God, make every effort to do so immediately.  It’s time to get real for God.  Follow Jesus with all sincerity.