Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth

There are times we read these words in the Bible and it is not clear what the meaning is of these words.  Not long ago I talked about this and I explained what went on in Israel, how there was a big wall around the city and how the people would throw their garbage over the wall and how wild animals including hungry lions would pillage through the garbage late at night looking for food.  When there was a prisoner on trial and they could not figure out whether he was guilty or not they would tie a rope around him and hang him over the wall at night, down close to the garbage so when the animals, including lions, came out looking for food the man hanging there would become so scared he would weep and grind his teeth down before morning, if he was still alive.  If he was alive when they pulled him up in the morning he was either insane or on the verge of insanity.

I relate this to be somewhat like it will be in the end times when the non-believer is sent out of the presence of God into everlasting punishment.  I think it will be a very scary place, there may not be lions there but Satan and his demon friends will be there along with everything that is wicked and evil.  But I think that will not be the worst thing that will take place there, they will know that what they put their hope and trust in was a lie whether it was false teaching from the occult, evolution, atheism or just plain religion trying to get to heaven by their good works.  When they stand before God at the judgment and see Jesus sitting there at His right side they will be devastated and crushed knowing they had been deceived into believing the great lie that Jesus never lived or existed, but it will be too late.

Weeping and gnashing of teeth can be found in the book of Matthew 25:14-30.  In verse 30 it says, “And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  How many people claim to be believers but do nothing to show that they are children of God?  

The Word says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”  So it is very clear that we are not saved, or made right with God, because of anything that we have done or anything we could have accomplished ourselves.  

But check out what it says in verse 10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  It is true we aren’t saved by our good works but we should show our gratitude for God’s unmerited favor, and do the good works He has for us to do and not be lazy like the unprofitable servant in this parable was.  

If you worked in a place of business and you were lazy and unprofitable your boss would fire you and have you thrown out of the business, wouldn’t he?  It is just common sense that he would.  Then how do you think God will respond to someone that is shiftless and lazy who will do nothing to further His kingdom?  Think about what Jesus said to his parents when they had traveled three days and couldn’t find Him and they went back and found Him in the temple, He said, “I had to be about my Father’s business,” and, like Jesus, we need to be about our heavenly Father’s business also.

If this is talking about you, first and foremost be sure you are saved by repenting and asking the Lord to forgive your sins and to come into your life and be your Lord and Savior.  Then ask the Lord to help you find a good church where the truth is taught, where you can grow in your Christian walk.  Then start seeking out and doing the good works that God has prepared for you and you will not be a lazy unprofitable servant, praise the Lord.  My prayer is that all these ‘tidbits’ will be a help and blessing to all who take the time to read them.  May God bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!