John MacArthur was Late

John MacArthur was late to the party.

From a distance, it appeared to me that for years, he was looking for an exclusive heavenly one. The kind of party that required a doctrine exam, a small collection of select prayers, and an allegiance to a particular form of Christian religion. He was an expert on who would be on the list of invitees, and to his credit, he worked very hard to get as many people as he could on that private list. A talented preacher and an expert on the qualities of a person that he believed would keep them from Heaven. He mocked and ridiculed many whom he believed did not make the cut.

He wrote books with this approach and preached to thousands around the world, affirming his stance. And of course, there were many who found his ministry to be helpful.

But when he died this week, he stumbled into a different party—a greater gathering beyond all imagination.

Which party, you ask?

The Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom where a Shepherd abandons 99 sheep to find one. The Kingdom where a woman went to great lengths to find a single lost coin and rejoiced when she found it. A backwards economy of love and grace.

I fully expect to be surprised and delighted when I understand the full depth of love represented in the lives I encounter in Heaven when I die. I wish I were there to see the surprise on his face when he realized Heaven's population was exponentially greater than he expected. I would have loved to see him receive a handshake and a hug from the heretics he warned others about while he was here on earth. There may even have been a nanosecond when he considered telling the host that too many of the wrong people had snuck in.

If there's one lesson we can all take from John MacArthur, it's this. In many ways, we're all late to the party of grace. We all waste a lot of time building exclusive lists that include the names of people who we believe "get it" and pass our doctrinal purity tests.

I see that in John, and I see that in me.

The Kingdom of God is also like the good son who stayed home and worked, and still received everything the Father had for the prodigal son. In the eyes of God the Father, the party has already begun, and we have every opportunity to enjoy it now. A God of infinite love cannot portion out more love to his children based on what and how they believe. It can't be done.

Welcome to the party, John. I'd be happy to compare notes with you when I get there. I'm glad he's at the party.

Thank you for reading friend, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Eph 3:17-19