The Only Pathway
To True Happiness

Chapter 8

Welcome To The Kingdom

Having considered the seven beatitudes that make up `the constitution of the kingdom,' we can now return our attention to the question, What is the `gospel of the kingdom?' What is the good news that must be `preached in the whole world as a testimony' before the end can come? (Matthew 24:14)

Whatever else might be entailed in this good news message, the bottom line is this: Thanks only to God's initiative, the kingdom of God is readily accessible to the lowliest, the most spiritually poor, the most guilt-ridden, the least educated, the most sin-burdened, and the most humble of all people.

`To the poor in spirit, the meek, the lowly, the sorrowful, the despised, the persecuted, He opens His arms of refuge, saying: ``Come unto Me, . . . and I will give you rest.' (7T269)

While on the one hand `Satan has succeeded in making the world believe that the words and achievements of men are of great consequence' (FE188), the absolute truth is that in the kingdom of God . . .

`It is not reputation, natural talent, acquired skill, professional standing, nor any honor given . . . of men, that weighs at all in the decisions of heaven.' (RH06-21-98.13)

In fact, the humbling and startling reality assures us that . . .

`At the feet of Jesus all these distinctions are forgotten.' (DA437)

Thus we can appreciate that . . .

`In the kingdom of God, position is not gained through favoritism. It is not earned, nor is it received through an arbitrary bestowal. It is the result of character. The crown and the throne are the tokens of a condition attained; they are the tokens of self-conquest through our Lord Jesus Christ.' (DA549)

As we have seen repeatedly in the previous few chapters, self-conquest is always and only preceded by self-abasement.

(1) Only when we have realized that we are nothing, can Jesus find an entrance into our hearts, and make of us something that heaven values. 

(2) Only when we accept that our worldly conquests, belongings and titles are valueless in the estimation of heaven, can the Holy Spirit begin to impart unto our souls those values and characteristics that God smiles upon.

All of which means, as mentioned earlier, that there is hope - absolute hope - for the weakest, the lowliest, the poorest, the least talented, the most contemptible, and the most feeble of all people. And this hope is not even for these lowly souls, it is especially for these lowly souls, and, as strange as it may seem, this hope is most easily accessible to these lowly souls - for these are the ones who will be least inclined to believe that they can work their way to heaven; these are they who will be the most inclined to accept the free salvation provided.

Shall we not praise God, therefore, in that . . .

`The Son of the Infinite God, the Lord of life and glory, descended in humiliation to the life of the lowliest, that no one might feel himself excluded from His presence. He made Himself accessible to all.' (1SM260)

No matter what impression we might have of ourselves, no matter how great our failings, no matter how poor our education, we have a hope that is absolute, and we can rejoice in the knowledge that . . .

`It is not the great results we attain, but the motives from which we act, that weigh with God. He places His own signet upon men, not by their rank, not by their wealth, not by their intellectual greatness, but by their oneness with Christ.' (2T510; DA437)

In this light, we must conclude that the greatness that we hanker after on earth is actually weakness; that the fame that we aspire after is nothing more than folly; and that, as far as our acceptance with God is concerned, our earthly achievements and the hard-earned titles behind our names carry no weight whatsoever, for . . .

`The Lord does not choose or accept laborers according to the numerous advantages which they have enjoyed, or according to the superior education which they have received. The value of the human agent is estimated according to the capacity of the heart to know and understand God.' (SpTEd07-114)

In the final analysis, therefore, it will be found that the `greatness' that we idolize on this planet is nothing more than a monumental stumbling block that stands boldly between the sinner and salvation - for Jesus has assured us that . . .

`The simplicity, the self-forgetfulness, and the confiding love of a little child are the attributes that Heaven values. These are the characteristics of real greatness.' (1MCP276)

Contrary to the world's estimation of greatness,  . . .

`To be great in God's kingdom is to be a little child in humility, in simplicity of faith, and in the purity of love. All pride must perish, all jealousy be overcome, all ambition for supremacy be given up, and the meekness and trust of the child be encouraged.' (5T130)

Ultimately, therefore, it will be found that `it is character alone, true goodness, that is true greatness.' (GW92-258)

Where greatness of character on this earth is measured largely by what we have done for ourselves and/or what we have done in the eyes of man, the greatness that heaven esteems is measured by what we have done for others - unseen by man.

`In the estimation of heaven, greatness of character consists in living for the welfare of our fellow men, in doing works of love and mercy.' (DA613)

So let us rejoice in that we are invited by a great God to accept His free salvation. He will accept us provided we accept our nothingness.