Keys!

Do you remember when you were given your own key to the house? That meant you were able to enter without your parents being home. How about your own set of car keys? Perhaps you are of an age that such is still a delightful anticipation. Receiving one’s own set of car keys may be viewed as even more significant than the house keys, because car keys are a symbol of even greater independence. However, along with keys comes something that is awesome; RESPONSIBILITY! When one has the keys to lock and unlock, along with that privilege comes the RESPONSIBILITY to make sure the house is locked when away and also to consider who is brought in when the door is unlocked. With the use of car keys, one becomes responsible for the life of every one else being taken for a ride as well as the consideration of all others out on the road. To possess keys is a privilege that is to be approached in a very RESPONSIBLE way.

As Jesus rebuked some of the Jewish leaders for their lack of leadership, he stated…
“Woe to you lawyers! For YOU HAVE TAKEN AWAY THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” ( Luke 11:52 ESV)

Matthew recorded Jesus accusing the scribes and Pharisees of shutting “the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces.” ( Matthew 23:13 ESV) Instead of RESPONSIBLY using the key of knowledge they proudly claimed to possess, they were guilty of slamming the door and locking it, thus hindering others from accepting Jesus and entering into the kingdom of heaven.

When Peter made his great confession regarding Who Jesus was (is), Jesus responded…
“(18) And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell [(Gk.) hades] shall not prevail against it. (19) I WILL GIVE YOU THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” ( Matthew 16:18-19 ESV)

Peter was given keys. How RESPONSIBLE was he with the keys placed in his hands? After the ascension of the Lord, on the day of Pentecost ( Acts 2:1) when a great crowd gathered, Peter preached the truth of Jesus, opened the door to the kingdom, and we read that “those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” ( Acts 2:41 ESV)

Are we hiding the key to the knowledge of Jesus? Are we leaving it in plain sight so others can find it? Do we carry it in our pocket, ready to share and open the way so others can enter into the kingdom through Jesus? We have been privileged with the key (God’s Word) of knowledge regarding salvation in Christ. With that privilege comes RESPONSIBILITY. As we have entered, may we not be guilty of hindering others, but rather unlock and open the truths of Jesus for others to see and enter in.

Have a great day BEING A CONSCIENTIOUS KEY HOLDER!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Responsibility