MaryEllen Montville
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” –1 Peter 2:9.
Citizens must possess a passport, visa, or valid national identity card to travel to a country outside their country of origin. A legal document backed up by other documents proves, amongst other things, that they are who they claim to be. Otherwise, entrance into said country will be denied. By default, possessing said proof of citizenship implies these proofs have been accepted as valid by the authorities and are legal. The one presenting them is, in fact, who they claim to be. Such scrutiny is paramount. It aids countries in protecting their citizens from interlopers who would harm their land or fellow citizens.
But what if the one attempting to enter the said country cannot supply the proofs needed for entry?
Access is denied—they are turned away. They will also likely suffer some long-term penalty for their illicit attempt to sneak into somewhere they did not have permission to be.
If the kingdoms of this world have in place such stringent standards of entry into their countries—and strictly implement them. How much more will a Holy God, who gave His very life for everyone protect and require an even more excellent entry standard be met by the one attempting to gain access into His Kingdom? “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” –Matthew 22:11-14.
So what proof must one possess—not merely claim to have—to enter the Kingdom of our God?
Our understanding of the distinct differences in these proofs involves our ability to recognize, practically and, more importantly, Biblically, the great distinction between our claiming to have a thing and our possessing it.
Why?
Because, both biblically and naturally speaking, an uncrossable chasm separates the heart of these two claims.
Let’s take a look:
Having: can be defined as: to hold in one’s use, service, regard, or at one’s disposal.
Having implies one may use something minus ownership—perhaps borrowing it for a time.
We can have a great many things. A pen in our hand, for instance. However, having a pen in our hand does not mean we possess it—it may not be our pen. Maybe we picked it up off a counter or a colleague’s desk? The same can be said for a car. We may have a car—yet it is not our possession—we may have borrowed or rented it temporarily. The same goes for the flats we live in. We pay rent to stay in them, but they are not ours. We may momentarily have use of things like the pen in our hand and the borrowed or rented car or apartment, yet none of them are our possessions.
Possession: indicates the legal right to use, possess, and give away a thing.
Possession implies ownership, unlike having implied temporary use.
Knowing this, let us examine the entry standard God requires into His Kingdom.
Must we keep all of God’s laws to enter His Kingdom? Impossible! No, entry into His Kingdom isn’t based on whether we can prove we have kept God’s laws—because not one of us is capable of such a feat. Break one, you’ve broken them all! “For the one who attempts to keep all of the law of Moses but fails in just one point has become guilty of breaking the law in every respect! For the same One who tells us, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you don’t commit adultery but do commit murder, you are still guilty as a law-breaker.” –James 2:10-11.
Instead, entry into the Kingdom of God is granted based on righteousness—Christ’s Righteousness.
Jesus Himself made this clear: no righteousness, no relationship—no entry into His Kingdom. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” –Matthew 7:21.
It doesn’t matter how “good” a person you are or how many rules you attempt to keep. Righteousness is the only acceptable proof positive required to enter the Kingdom of God. You must be in possession of said proof. But how? How do we, sin-full men, come to possess such righteousness and gain access to such proof?
Jesus Himself answers this question for us.
In John 3:1-6, while talking with the Pharisee, Nicodemus, Jesus made it plain to him, and through this saying to us, not just anyone can enter the Kingdom of God. Being a priest or professed follower of Jesus won’t cut it. Neither will you touting your parents’ professed religion of choice as your own or the cross hanging around your neck or above your bed gain you access to His Kingdom. As with a natural Kingdom or country, one cannot simply stroll into God’s Kingdom to merely assuage one’s curiosity, to “check it out” and see if it suits them before committing to live there.
Listen to what Jesus told Nicodemus regarding possessing the proof needed to gain access into His Kingdom: “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
And yet, scripture makes plain that not one of us is righteous. “As it is written and forever remains written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS [none that meets God’s standard], NOT EVEN ONE.” –Romans 3:10.
So, how do we obtain the righteousness necessary to enter God’s Kingdom?
That’s where proof of our righteousness comes in: No righteousness, no entry into this Kingdom.
Righteousness is afforded us via our relationship with Jesus Christ. As Jesus told Nicodemus, we must be born again; this free, unplumbable privilege is only afforded us in Jesus Christ. His life, death, and defeat of the grave—His resurrection, a relationship with Him, makes having His Righteousness possible. “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” –1Corinthians 1:30-31.
Amazingly, God’s Holy Spirit is alive and at work in us now—if we are His. Jesus’ sinless Righteousness covers our sins. When God looks at us, He sees His Son—Pure. Holy. Without spot or wrinkle.
Jesus alone is the One living person—the only Person, who has ever possessed such righteousness and, equally, retains the right to bestow it on whosoever He chooses. “Just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love.” –Ephesians 1:4.
Beloved of God, you, who possess said proof God demands, will be granted legal entry into His Kingdom. Hallelujah! “He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].” –2 Corinthians 5:21.
What about you, friend? Should Christ come today, do you possess the proof necessary to enter the Kingdom of God?
Have you been born again?
If not, let today be the day salvation comes to you.
Jesus made accepting Him into your life as your Lord and Savior as simple as this: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10.
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