Isaiah in chapter 64, verse 6 reminds us that all our righteousness is as filthy rags. So when Jesus says in Matthew 5, verse 20 that unless our righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees we will not enter heaven, He is referring to the righteousness that we can only possess through grace. No amount of effort can secure a place in heaven for us. 1 John 2:1b-2, "...Jesus Christ the righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation (price paid, satisfying a debt) for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world." Are you covered?
But Jesus interestingly in that same chapter in the Gospel of Matthew, verse 19, acknowledges that within heaven, there are degrees of greatness. We all enter by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), but clearly, in Jesus' owns words, our efforts in obedience matter; we are graded. How great have you been this week? How great have you been this past year? If we went to heaven today, what would our greatness grade be?
Pastor Fred
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