We Have the Keys

The keys of the Kingdom were given to Peter.

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:18-19 KJV

This same concept is given the the church at large here.

"Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:18-20 KJV

But, If we look at the context the binding and loosing have everything to do with reconciliation to truth, God and each other. Matthew 18 starting in verse 12 talks about leaving the ninety nine sheep to find the lost one... going to those far away in reconciliation. Then in verse 15 it talks about going to your brother and reconciling.

Peter would go to those far away, the gentiles in Cornelius' house, and give the Gospel to them. Those far away would be reconciled. Then He would preach at Pentecost and brothers in disagreement would become one in the faith.

How often do we allow reconciliation to one another to take place? Peter asks in verse 21. What is the limit?

Jesus gave us keys so that there is no limit. How many unclean people can be made clean. There is no limit. How many cities in America can have churches on fire for God? There is no limit.

What can separate us from the love of God. Nothing can. God isn't changing His locks. The Devil is barred access. That angel fell like lightning to the Earth. Our keys look just like Peters keys... just like the keys the early church had.

Let's take the Gospel of Grace near and far.

Our family needs to have the door reopened all the time. It can't stay shut for long of walls go up. Use the keys of grace, mercy and the finished work to resolve conflict.

Ninety nine may be safe in the fold but there is one far away today. It will always be so in this age. As long as our hearts are beating there are sheep bleating and lost in the rainy dark night. It would be easier to stay comfortable but keys are meant to be used. Let's go use them as God leads. May God open our ears to hear the cry in the night.