Keys to the Kingdom

Then Jesus replied, “Happy are you, Simon son of Jonah, because no human has shown this to you. Rather my Father who is in heaven has shown you. I tell you that you are Peter. And I’ll build my church on this rock. The gates of the underworld won’t be able to stand against it. I’ll give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Anything you fasten on earth will be fastened in heaven. Anything you loosen on earth will be loosened in heaven.” Matthew 16:17-19 

At the church where I work we are in the process of changing the key system for entry into the building. We have issued a lot of keys since moving into our new building six years ago. There’s some concern we may not have kept accurate records to know who all has a previously issued key. A decision was made to go with a completely different key system. We now have key cards instead of the old fashion physical turn-key. 

I was thinking and began to wonder who will try to enter the church over the next few months with a previously issued key and will find themselves not able to enter? 

Which leads me to think about keys to the kingdom. Do you suppose there are people out there who think they have a key to the kingdom of heaven and yet will find themselves locked out? 

Maybe they have a church key. 

Maybe their Christian friend may seem to have the key. 

Maybe attending church every week seems to be the key. 

Maybe going and serving others feels like the key. 

Having a family tradition of Christianity appears to be the key. 

There’s just this one problem….only one key works to the kingdom of heaven and that is a personal relationship with Jesus. 

The key to God is Jesus! 

They key to heaven is Jesus! 

He is the key to the kingdom of heaven and without Jesus there is no access to heaven. 

So when the Spirit of God moves and invites you to take the key, you make a choice to take it or leave it. Take the key. 

Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”,  and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.