After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9, 10 ESV)
No Contest
I was very excited each year when the international chess rankings were published. By playing and recording the results of particular matches, a committee somewhere used some algorithm and declared how good a chess player I was. In the few years I took part, I steadily advanced through the list. But I was never officially as good a chess player as I thought I was.
Neither our lives, nor salvation, nor our relationship with the one true living GOD are t like the international chess rankings. While often we use some internal algorithm to compare ourselves to others, such comparisons do not matter. Even if they were somehow accurate.
God does not take the top 50 %, or 30 %, or 10% and give them grace. If He did, it would not be grace, it would be a reward.
When John recorded what he saw in heaven, he noticed that the number of folk was more than anyone could number. The number of God’s people in heaven is not infinite. But instead, we can not figure out that number. Because, as the heavenly residents sing, “Salvation belongs to our God.”
We are saved by Grace, not by a contest or comparison.
It does not matter at all if the person sitting next to you, or living downstairs, or by the side of the road is more or less obedient to God than you are.
It is not a contest. We all need it.
Grace alone.