By Jeff Ginn Harvard is the oldest and, arguably, the most prestigious university in America. Not surprisingly, the competition for admission is stiff. Only about 5% of those who apply are actually accepted. Listen to these academic credentials for incoming freshmen: The average ACT score is 35 (36 is the highest score possible) The average SAT score is 1512 (1600 is the highest score possible) The average GPA is 4.04 To get into Harvard, you have to be nearly perfect academically. Truth is, it is hard to get into Harvard. Let me pivot and ask you: “Is it hard to get into heaven?” Let me offer an answer: No, it is not hard; it is impossible--based on your own qualifications (and mark those final words well). Listen to Jesus give the admission guidelines for heaven: “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). Were that standard not sufficiently high, he adds: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). What Jesus is saying is that you don’t have to be nearly perfect; you have to be perfect. Gulp. Perhaps you’ve been tempted to take solace in the hope that God might grade us … [Read more...]