Notice the context of the title of our article: “And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders
of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave
thee this authority?  And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like
wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then
believe him?  But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.  And they answered Jesus,
and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.  But what think
ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.  He answered
and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.  And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he
answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.  Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The
first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God
before you.  For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the
harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him” (Matthew 21:23-
32).

      How would you respond to someone saying to you, “the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you”?  Hopefully, you
would take one huge step backwards and think about your spiritual condition.  Well, Jesus made this statement to the chief
priests and the elders of the people at the temple in Jerusalem.  You see, these were men who should have been willing to
change, but rather it was the publicans and harlots who changed before them.  They considered themselves the religiously right,
but it was the “scum” of society who had the more open hearts.  Could this statement be made of some “brethren” today?  
Would the crooks and harlots of our day be more receptive of the truth than the very elect?


      Self-righteousness and pride often are blinders when it comes to reception of the Gospel.  Some “Christians” I have
encountered over the years had the idea that they were right simply because they had been “Christians” for so many years.  All
of us, at some point in time, were part of the scum of the earth.  Yes, I realize that some having been raised in godly homes
were not out playing the harlot (cf. Jeremiah 2:20).  However, each one of us that were baptized into Christ had to have our
sins remitted (Acts 2:38).  Thus, we were all at one point lost and just as sinful as the harlots of this world.  Let us not forget
this.  Additionally, most of us have sinned at some point since obeying the Gospel and have had to repent (II Corinthians 7:9-
10) and confess our sins to God (I John 1:9).  Therefore, let’s make sure we are not self-righteous.  Without the blood of
Christ, we’d all be the scum of the earth today (Ephesians 1:7 and Hebrews 9:22).  We must realize that we are made
righteous through the blood of Christ (Romans 3:9-25), not our own selves.  

      Still yet, we find those who practice their own form of Calvinism’s “once saved always saved” doctrine.  These are those
who proudly proclaim they are members of the church of Christ and they imply that this means they can do no wrong.  Let us
be clear, we can live the kind of life wherein we would do no wrong (II Corinthians 7:1 and I Peter 1:13-16).  If we acted and
spoke just as Christ did, we’d be fine (Colossians 3:17, I Peter 2:21; 4:1-2; 4:11, and I John 2:3-6).  If we truly had the mind
of Christ it would not be a self-righteous mindset we’d have on display (Philippians 2:5-8).  Now, while we may live right, there
are those who do not as Christ has said and done, but still they hold this idea that their crap does not stink since they are
members of the church of Christ.  These types are nearly impossible to reach through the Gospel.  You’ve heard these types
say things like, “I have been a member of the church for x amount of years, I know what is right”.  We can know what is right
(John 8:32), but if we are not rightly using the Scriptures to support our claims we are no better than the chief priests and elders.

      With those who will not hear the truth because they are already Christians, it becomes apparent that teaching those who
never knew Christ is easier.  They do not have years of “church traditions” under their belts and may actually consider what is
right.  Some will not understand this.  Notice what Jesus said: “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man,
named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, And followed him.  
And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with
him and his disciples.  And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with
publicans and sinners?  But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but
they that are sick.  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to
call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:9-13).  The Pharisees were like some of our “brethren” today.  
They had already figured out all things and did not need guidance from Christ.  Jesus would have more success teaching the
publicans and sinners because they would hear what He said.  The Pharisees and others who already had the truth (in their own
eyes) would not be so receptive.  Brethren, let us not fall into this trap as so many have in times past and still do today.  Self-
righteousness is not pleasing to our Lord (Luke 18:9-14; cf. Proverbs 21:2).  Let us always be willing to learn and make
applications to those things we are rightfully taught.


      To the early Christians, James wrote the following which applies in so many ways to us today: “Of his own will begat he
us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let
every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of
God.  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word,
which is able to save your souls” (James 1:18-21).  Let’s not allow the elect of today to stand less ready to learn and obey
than the sinners of this world.
Volume VIII    ~    Issue XXI   ~   February 17th, 2008
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).  There is
more to cover than is here.  Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
The Harlots Go Into The Kingdom of God Before You
By: Brian A. Yeager
Is It Easier To Teach Some That Are of the World Than Some Who Are “Christians”?
Conclusion