Humans continually wonder about spiritual things, like the way to heaven, Paradise or how to live forever. Every religion on earth has their answer, including Christians - and each think they are the only one that is correct.
Christians say “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2: 38 NKJV) and many believers use Jesus Name like some kind of magic key that excludes
all non-Christians from the New Jerusalem.
But Jesus said “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven…Many will say to Me …‘Lord, Lord, have we not…cast out demons in Your name…and then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you.” (Matt 7: 21-23 NKJV). Merely using His name doesn’t guarantee salvation.
Christ said “many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness.” (Matt 8:11-12NKJV.) Pride and exclusiveness have always been an issue with believers.
In Christ’s word to Nicodemus proceeding John 3:16, the Savior said the only way to see the kingdom of God was to be “born from above” – not like our human birth but by the power of the Spirit. This implies a totally different spirit and attitude that comes from above.
In Jesus’ parable about the judgment (Matt 25: 31-46), He doesn’t mention doctrines or whether one uses His Name, He focuses entirely on peoples actions. Those who enter Gods Kingdom are the ones who fed the hungry, clothed the poor and visited the sick and imprisoned – they had different priorities.
In Revelation 14 and 18, God calls His people out of Babylon. I have always wondered how they can be HIS people and still be in Babylon – if only Christians or the ones using Jesus Name are His people? Perhaps our view has again been too narrow - imagine that!
Perhaps His people aren’t only the “Christians” and humans using Jesus Name, maybe it is true that “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Ps 34:18 NKJV.) Maybe humbleness counts more than doctrines with Jehovah.
For the Almighty says “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isa57:15 NKJV.) Anywhere on earth, meekness must register on Yahweh’s radar.
Possibly Peter grasped it when he said “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” (Acts 10: 34-35 NKJV) Maybe it is not knowledge but surrender that God cherishes most in humans.
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