Well done?

Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren’t going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture: “As I live and breathe,” God says, “every knee will bow before me; Every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God.” So mind your own business. You’ve got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God. (Romans 14:10-12 MSG)

We humans spend a whole lot of time comparing ourselves to other humans, don't we? Even in the 'church circles' that we live within, we go about comparing ourselves with others - ones not as 'holy' and ones 'holier than us'. In turn, they are doing similar comparisons. The more we do this, the less we take time to really find out how God sees us. 

All will bow before him - all will give an account for their actions while on this earth. None is without excuse - none is going to be so 'holy' that they didn't need a relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There is no other access to God's throne room than through him. When God tells us to 'mind our own business', he is reminding us that we all have a hard enough time listening intently to him and being obedient to what he asks of us.

We can say our 'religion' is better than someone else's, but we must never forget that God isn't about denominations or religion. He is about relationship - making man right with himself through the sacrificial death of Christ. It isn't about how 'holy' we appear. It is about how 'holy' we become when we live and breathe by the grace of God in our lives, focusing intently on his purposes and his instruction for how we are to live. Yes, that relationship with change the way we 'appear', but it isn't a thing we should use as a comparison factor when working or living with other humans!

Obedience is the call. Right standing is the goal. We all get there little by little, but not on our own terms. We arrive at the place of right standing with God by actually kneeling in humble repentance before him. At his throne of judgment there will be many who will say they 'lived a good life' and 'tried to be kind' in their dealings. The sad reality for those who have tried to do things their own way through 'religion' is that they will not be received into his presence. If we want a 'warm reception' in heaven, we do all we can to develop an 'on fire' relationship with Jesus while on this earth. Just saying!