Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

God does not ask that we accomplish things for Him. Rather, He commands us to walk before Him and be perfect. The emphasis is on our responding to Him perfectly. It is the Spirit of God who accomplishes the eternal works of the Kingdom.

In some instances, prominent leaders of the churches are proud, self-centered people. They think that because they have been active in the "work of God" their personal selfishness and self-seeking, their treachery toward their fellow believers, will be overlooked. But when they stand before God they will be condemned. Their works will be burned and they themselves may be cast into outer darkness.

On the other hand, an individual who lived and died on a remote island or in a jungle somewhere, who never heard of Jesus but who behaved according to his conscience and was regarded as an honorable person by his peers, may very well be welcomed by Christ into the Kingdom of God—as was the thief on the cross.

Which kind of person would you prefer to have living next to you in the new world: a self-willed, proud church leader who is doctrinally correct, who has "accepted Jesus"; or a kindhearted, honest soul who has never heard the Gospel?

Which one would the Lord Jesus prefer to be with?

It is those with an "honest and good heart" who are able to enter the Kingdom (Luke 8:15).

We Christians place far too much emphasis on religion and not nearly enough on what kind of person we are. But God virtually ignores the religion in favor of what kind of person we are (as measured by our behavior). It is the purpose of religion to make us better people, not more fervent, more accurate religionists. Christ welcomes people, not religion. He is a Savior and King, not a theologian or the leader of a religion.

Please note that in our argument concerning the importance of true faith and good character in the plan of redemption, we are not stating that an individual is free to reject Jesus in favor of pleasing God by his own righteousness. Rather, we are setting forth the vital concept that God is not impressed by our profession of belief in Jesus unless that profession includes thorough repentance and a willingness to follow the living Jesus every day.

We are saying also God judges those who have heard the Gospel on a different basis than is true of those who have not heard. It is a Kingdom principle that men are judged on the basis of the light they have received. God would be unrighteous if He condemned people on the basis of light they have not received.

To be continued.