"They May Have the Right to the Tree of Life"

alone will often charge those of us who believe that obedience is necessary for salvation as trying to somehow earn salvation. While we should answer this false charge, we must also not be afraid to affirm all that the Scriptures teach. Notice these words near the close of the final book of the Bible:

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).

We will be judged according to what we have done. We will be rewarded if our deeds are good when judged according to the Lord’s word. If we wash our robes, or “do his commandments” (KJV), we will enter the city and partake of the tree of life. But notice what the text says about the tree of life. Those who are faithful will “have the right to the tree of life.” Through our obedience to God, we also have the right to the tree of life. Of course, all of this is still only possible by the grace of God in making salvation possible. But we cannot ignore the fact that this salvation that God makes possible for us will not happen without our obedience. So do His commandments that you may also have the right to the tree of life. –Andy Sochor