John Henson recently reported: “On an Internet discussion board, a high-school valedictorian with a 1510 SAT score said he didn’t have any trouble getting into Harvard.  He probably did not have any trouble.

But, it is difficult for ordinary people to win admission to an Ivy League school.  The standards are high.  Many people are just not going to make it.

Consider this.... There will be some people who just will not enter HEAVEN.  Eternal life will pass them by because they are not willing to devote themselves to the things God believes are important.”

Consider the example, Henson suggests, of the “Rich Young Ruler” of Matthew 19.  He came to Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”  Jesus directed him to keep the laws of the Old Testament which was the law in force at the time.  The young man responded, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

Jesus responded: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  Jesus knew that the rich young ruler had made an idol of his riches.  Someone who practices idolatry will not enter heaven.

“But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:16-22).

Henson astutely observes:  “Some people will just not obey Jesus as they should.  The Rich Young Ruler would not. He declined to do what Jesus said.  As long as men rebel against the word of Christ, they have no hope of going to heaven.

One of my favorite lessons from Gospel preachers is one I have never heard.  It was written by Gus Nichols and I found it early in my preaching in his book.  It was called, ‘The Dividing Line.’  Nichols made the case that there are dividing lines some men will not cross to receive eternal life.”

In Matthew 7:21, Jesus identifies one of those “dividing lines”:  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.”

“For many people, getting into heaven will be even more difficult than for some high school students to enter Harvard.  But, it will not be a matter of TEST SCORES!  This entrance exam will be scored on whether or not a person will do what Jesus said.”

Sin is what will keep us out of heaven, but God loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.  He has told us what to do to receive the benefits of Christ’s atoning death.  In order to be saved and receive the gift of eternal life, we must place our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Acts 2:38).  Then, we must continue to follow Him faithfully for the rest of our days (1 John 1:7).

Christ has “opened the door” into Heaven; in fact, He is the Door (John 10:7,9; 14:6).  But to access the door, we must be willing to cross “the dividing line” – we must be willing to trust and obey Jesus.

Won’t YOU “cross the dividing line” by submitting your life to the Savior?