2 Peter 1:11
“and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our lord and savior Jesus Christ.”
This is what we want, a rich welcome. We don’t want to risk it and just squeeze in. Paul refers to those in 1 Corinthians 3:15, “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” It’s as if the flames of hell are scorching his back side as he just gets in. The earlier verses say that one’s foundation should be Jesus Christ. Our actions are Jesus based or not. 1 Corinthians 13 speaks of the one who does great things supposedly for God, but doesn’t have love. It doesn’t count. Jesus calls those actions wood, hay and stubble. They will be burned up.
Peter says if those traits (moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love) are in us we will have a rich entry into the kingdom. We’ve discussed managing these in previous entries. It might seem overwhelming to worry if we are sufficient in all them. That’s not how it works.
First off, heaven is our because of Christ’s work on the cross. Secondly, we don’t have to have a trait checklist. We trust The Lord with our days. He allows circumstances to test us. We may respond harshly. That becomes the area where The Lord wants to work. We pray for His grace as we try to align our lives with His Word. His love and power allow us to become more christlike.
Complying with The Lord in our lives is growing in all those traits. That’s what gives us the abundant entrance into the Kingdom.
Lord, thank You that You are so interested in our day to day concerns and struggles. Help us to trust in You. Thank You that we not only get heaven, but will be warmly received.