Two Kinds of People

Jesus categorized all of humanity into two distinct groups. Every individual, regardless of age or gender, both past and future, belongs to one of these categories. Jesus provided vivid descriptions of these two types of people, as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Through my research, I have identified thirty-nine contrasting characteristics.

Jesus intends for all of us to recognize that we belong to one of only two groups in this world. He wants us to continually contemplate this truth. The abundance of His teachings on this subject emphasizes its significance.

Most of these distinctions are either explicitly stated or implied in the Gospel accounts. My objective is to highlight the strong emphasis Christ placed on this teaching. Later, we will explore why reflecting on this matter is crucial. I encourage you to read this list devotionally, taking the time to absorb it slowly and prayerfully.

The Divisions Outlined by Christ

Narrow gate/Wide road: Few find the narrow gate that leads to life, while the majority follows the wide road leading to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14; 22:14).

Good fruit/Bad fruit: Some bear good fruit and remain, while others produce bad fruit and face destruction (Matthew 7:18-19; Luke 13:6-9; John 15:2, 6).

Wise builder/Foolish builder: The wise build their lives on the foundation of Christ’s teachings and endure, whereas the foolish construct their lives on weak foundations that lead to ruin (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49).

Two eternal destinations: Some will enter the kingdom of heaven and join the saints of the Old Testament, while others will face eternal torment and darkness (Matthew 8:11-12; 22:13; Luke 13:23-28; 16:22-26).

Cross-bearers/Rejectors: Some will take up their cross and follow Jesus, while others will refuse to do so (Matthew 10:38).

Self-deniers/Self-seekers: Those who deny themselves and sacrifice for Jesus will gain eternal life, while those who live for themselves will lose their souls (Matthew 10:38-39; 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-37; Luke 9:24; 14:26-27; John 12:24).

Weighed down/Found rest: Many are burdened, helpless, and without spiritual guidance, while others find rest for their souls in serving their gentle Lord (Matthew 9:36; 11:28-30).

Wheat/Tares: Some resemble good seed, producing a harvest of righteousness, while others resemble bad seed, producing sin and lawlessness, and face destruction (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-42).

Good fish/Discarded fish: Humanity is likened to a catch of fish in a net. Good fish are kept, but bad fish are discarded, illustrating the final judgment where the wicked are cast into the fiery furnace (Matthew 13:47-50).

Seeking earthly treasure/Seeking heavenly treasure: Some prioritize earthly possessions and wealth, while others seek to be rich in ways that please God (Matthew 19:23-24; Luke 12:15-21; 16:13).

First/Last and Last/First: Those who are prominent and glorified in this life will lose it for eternity, while those considered last according to worldly standards will find eternal glory with God (Matthew 19:30; 20:16; Luke 13:30).

Pride/Humility: Some face condemnation due to their pride, self-righteousness, and hypocrisy, while others are accepted by God through their humility and repentance (Matthew 23; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31-32; Luke 18:17).

Façade of faith/Enduring faith: Some may appear to believe for a while but fall away, while others endure until the end and will be saved (Matthew 24:13; Luke 9:62).

Prepared for Christ’s coming/Unprepared: Some will be ready when Jesus returns as Judge, while others will be unprepared, engrossed in sin and worldly affairs, and will face severe punishment (Matthew 24:42-51; 25:13; Luke 12:35-38; 21:34).

Raised to life and reward/Raised to judgment: On the day of resurrection, some will be raised to receive rewards and eternal life, while others will face judgment (Luke 14:14; John 5:28-29).

Sheep/Goats: At Christ’s return, people will be separated forever, categorized as either sheep blessed by God, who inherit His kingdom, or goats cast into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46).

False worshipers/True worshipers: Some claim to worship God but adhere to deceitful doctrines created by humans, while others worship the Lord in spirit and truth (Mark 7:6-7; John 4:24).

Repentant/Unrepentant: Some repent, turn from sin, and find entrance into the kingdom of God, while the rest find themselves in hell, a place of eternal torment (Mark 9:42-29).

Hearing/Willfully deaf: Some hear Jesus and receive Him and His words, while others reject Him and face judgment (Luke 10:16; 11:23; 16:31; 20:17-18; John 1:11-12; 12:48; 13:20).

Documented citizens/Persona non grata: The names of some are written in heaven, while others are absent, lacking citizenship (Luke 10:20).

Personal relationship with Christ/Estranged: Some know the Son of God and have a relationship with Him, while others remain unaware (John 1:9ff; 8:19; 10:15; 13:7; 17:3).

Child of God/Child of Satan: Each person is either a child of God through Jesus or a child of Satan (John 1:12; 8:44).

Born again/Born only once: A person is either born again and will see the kingdom of God or not born again and will never see God’s kingdom (John 3:3-7).

No longer condemned/Under condemnation: Those who believe in Jesus have eternal life, while the rest remain condemned before God (John 3:14-18; 36; 5:24; 6:40; 8:24; 11:25-27).

Love light/Love darkness: Some love the light of God and His truth, while others love falsehoods and spiritual darkness (John 3:19-21; 8:12; 12:46; 18:37).

Overflowing with living water/Thirsty: Some drink from the living water, which is Christ, while others remain spiritually thirsty in their sins (John 4:13-14; 7:37-39).

Seeking God’s approval/Seeking man’s approval: Some seek God’s approval above all else, while others prioritize the approval of others over God (John 5:44).

Receiving the Bread of Life/Starving spiritually: The Bread of Life, Jesus, is received by some, bringing life to their souls, while others remain spiritually starved (John 6).

Set free/Enslaved: Some are liberated from sin and death, while others remain enslaved and doomed to perish in their sins (John 8:32-36).

Believe the Son like Abraham/Hate Christ like Satan: Some share the same faith as believers throughout history, while others are under the influence of Satan, deceiving the masses (John 8:38-47).

Life in the Spirit/Life in the flesh: Some live in the Spirit, abiding in Jesus, while others live according to the flesh, apart from God (John 6:63; 14:16-17; 15:5-6).

Obedient/Disobedient: Some obey Jesus, keeping His words, while many refuse to do so (John 8:31, 52).

Seeing/Blind: Spiritual blindness afflicts many, but some can see God and His truth (John 9:39-41).

Followers of the True Shepherd/Followers of false shepherds: Some are God’s sheep, following the Great Shepherd, Jesus, and experiencing abundant life, while many follow false shepherds, leading to destruction (John 10:1-10, 27; 12:26).

Safe from all harm/Fearful: Some are secure in the hands of God the Father and God the Son, possessing eternal life and never perishing. Others lack eternal security and have reasons to fear (John 10:28).

Clean/Filthy: Some are cleansed by God’s grace through faith in His Word, while others remain impure in their sins (John 13:10-11; 15:3).

Followers of the Way/No access to the Father: Some will reach the Father through Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, while others have no way to the Father (John 14:6).

Secure in the Father’s love/His love unknown: Some love Jesus and, as a result, experience the Father’s love, while those without Jesus cannot know the Father’s love (John 14:21-24; 15:23-24).

Belong to this world/Belong to Christ: Some belong to this sin-cursed world, while others now belong to Jesus, God’s Son (John 17:6-11; 17:14-16).

A Reflective Exercise

It becomes evident that these two categories consist of those who are God’s people—those who have repented of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ—and those who have yet to become God’s people. Being part of God’s people is an extraordinary privilege, surpassing our comprehension. Conversely, failing to become one of God’s people is a tragic outcome that surpasses our limited understanding.

If you took the time to contemplate these summarized Scriptures, you may find yourself in a sober frame of mind at this moment. It is natural to experience mixed emotions as you reflect on these profound truths.