Not long ago, I had a conversation with a person who seemed to have a rather interesting viewpoint when it comes to entering into glory. Let me try to explain it through parable. A young person decided they wanted to go to a concert and had been waiting for most of their life to get tickets for the event. There were more than enough tickets for anyone who wanted to go but you needed to arrive at the venue at least three hours before the concert. The young person did as instructed and dutifully waited in line. At the first stop, the person was asked to provide identification and submit to a security scan. This is not uncommon so the person accepted. With that test done, the person moved back out into the line again. In the distance, the person heard a commotion and turned around to look. There were numerous people approaching the gate and being turned away. They were screaming that their rights were being violated and that they were only a few minutes late. That is where it ended because the line started to move once again. The next stop and another test, this time it was a test of knowledge. They wanted to know if you were a great fan or a poser. Fifty questions about the artist and the person could not have more than two wrong otherwise they would be sent out. The test was completed and only one wrong so onto the next challenge.
At the next table, there was a second knowledge challenge involving the artist’s music. Three songs and the person not only had to know the words but also had to identify other selected songs by hearing a very small excerpt. This was now getting tougher and tougher. After making it past this challenge it was back into the lineup for the next test. With every test there seemed to be less and less people in line, kind of reminds me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The tests seemed to get harder and harder and finally the young person got to the last challenge. Standing at the door was the bouncer who looked the person up and down. If the bouncer thought you worthy, you were in. The young person must have passed that test because the door was opened and access was granted. Inside the hall were a handful of others, the lucky few who made it through the labyrinth, who proved their worth to receive the great gift from the great artist.
If I told you that in order to pass from this world into the presence of the Father you needed to jump through a myriad of hoops and prove your dedication through acts, would you even try? If you are being truthful with yourself, you probably would not. But I tell you the truth the reality of entrance into the Kingdom of God is far easier than what some would have you believe. Consider the thieves on the cross.
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 34:49-43 NLT
Name the love of Christ and His reign over your life and claim His promise of eternal life in Glory.
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7 NLT
I am here to make this very simple, in plain words. Love God with absolutely all you are, declare Him as Lord of your heart and soul and give over your sins unto Him and He will cleanse you. He will welcome you into Glory with open arms and all Heaven will rejoice. It is not by works that you will be saved but rather through the grace of God. Works do have a place but it is to help and inform others around you that God is looking forward to sharing Heaven with us all.
This Sunday, we will examine the entrance exam for Heaven and rejoice. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.
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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Todd
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