John 5:24-27
“It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living.”
“It’s urgent that you get this right: The time has arrived—I mean right now!—when dead men and women will hear the voice of the Son of God and, hearing, will come alive. Just as the Father has life in himself, he has conferred on the Son life in himself. And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
As I read this scripture passage, I couldn’t help but think of the many ways that you and I exclude others every single day…both consciously and unconsciously. We divide ourselves into the “Haves” and “Have-nots”…and we judge others based on the category into which they fall. But not Jesus! Simply by virtue of believing in Him and following Him, we are ensured a seat at His table in Heaven for all Eternity! Though we may have been “dead” in a life of sin, we are instantly made alive in Christ Jesus when we acknowledge Him and align ourselves with His teachings.
For me, this is the greatest news ever! The only group to which I truly wish to belong is the Body of Believers in Jesus. How amazing it is to know that admission is not based on economics, good looks or great deeds. How awesome it is to realize that there is NOTHING that you or I can do to be condemned or excluded – ever again! New life in Christ is the real deal…the grand prize…the ultimate “membership”…and it is available to every single person who wishes to be a part of it!
I want us to think long and hard about this…every single person is entitled to belong to the Kingdom of Heaven…EVERYONE! This includes some people who probably would not be at the top of your “list”! But we are not in charge of this. In God’s eyes…there is no exclusion. Anyone and everyone who chooses Jesus is ultimately choosing God. I say often that we will all probably be a little surprised to see a few people in Heaven! But this is the beauty of Christian life and service…it’s available to everyone – even repentant stinkers!
I know that “clubs”, elitism and discrimination will always be part of this world. But I have set my sights on Heaven. No earthly group holds that much attraction for me any longer. Being an outsider on this earth doesn’t bother me in the least, because I know that I belong to the Heavenly Kingdom and will have all of the blessings and privileges of “membership” there someday. For now, it is more than enough to know that I belong to Jesus – and He gives me life and breath, love and care every single day. What about you?
©2018 Debbie Robus
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