Jesus was a great teacher...

a prophet, healer and friend. These character qualities alone would qualify Jesus as a saint but would not allow Him to be received by God. Jesus was a man who was:

 “…despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isa 53:3)

Jesus was a man who, “hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows,” and the ones whom He served saw Him as, “stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” (Isa 53:4) This great sacrifice alone did not win Him God’s favor.

Why was Jesus approved of God if it was not for these great works and sacrifice? The word of God gives us this understanding of just who and what Jesus was and why He was approved by God:

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Col 1:15-17)

Jesus is, was, and for all eternity, will be God. Jesus, living as a man in His creation, did not lay down His righteousness but His righteousness was enclosed in the flesh. Jesus was not tempted to engage in the sinfulness that Satan has used against humanity. The nature of sin is that you must lust to commit sin. The scripture makes this claim:

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (Jas 1:14-15)

These very same claims of righteousness the scripture ascribe to Jesus; teaching, healing, serving and prophesying was claimed by the ones who were demanding to be “received up into glory.” Listen to their voices as recorded in scripture:

 “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Mat 7:22) 

Their claim to “glory” was rejected by Jesus with these words:

“I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Mat 7:23)

Why was Jesus “received up into glory” and the ones who laid claim to the same character qualities that scripture accredited to Jesus? Jesus was without sin and they were not. Unlike Jesus, who did not lust and therefore could not have sin, they did lust and did sin. Jesus was God who became man. Jesus was not just a man but He was a God-man. 

Do you desire to be received “up into glory” when you die? You must have the same righteousness that Jesus possesses. Your righteousness will disqualify you. You must have the righteousness of God bestowed on you by God’s grace and mercy.

Do not be another voice in the crowd trying to be “received up into glory” that is depending on accomplishments made in your own power. Repent of your sin and call on Jesus’ work on the cross and you will be saved and indeed be received into glory.