Matthew 3:2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Is it really that simple? Can I enter the kingdom of heaven by simply repenting?

Matthew 5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus asked  “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

That is a world view of rebirth, always depending on human effort to accomplish spiritual goals.

Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Many look to repentance and baptism as the key to unlocking the door to the kingdom. Once again, that is falling short of entering.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

When Jesus knocks at the door to your heart we must open the door and invite Him in and have that covenant meal.

Do you hear His voice at the door?

1 Corinthians 10:31 … whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Brooklyn Writers on Facebook contacted me about writing my life story.

I declined. They used every flattery you would expect to get me to sign up with them.

I was an avid reader before my stroke in 2018. That stroke damaged the optical translation centers of my brain and made reading book print very difficult. Even now, doing this, I am using a 55 inch television to read the only book I read these days, the Bible.

Over the years I have confessed my humanity in hopes that readers might recognize that God is able to save anyone that will believe in His Son Jesus Christ. My story is not all that different from yours.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Psalm 78:36 But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues.

My favorite books were mysteries, detective and spy mysteries especially.

The greatest mystery novel ever is the bible.

Colossians 1:27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.