Five years ago, over Spring break, Cheryl and I were able to go to Belize for a relaxing vacation getaway. When we started traveling more internationally, my brother, who has traveled extensively, suggested that we get something called “Global Entry.” You make an appointment with the TSA and go through a background check and pay $100 and you get cleared for “Global Entry.” When you fly domestically, you get to go in the TSA Precheck security line, which means you don’t have to take off your shoes and you can leave your computer in your bag. That is usually a pretty good thing. But the real advantage of Global Entry is when you come back into the US after having been abroad. Instead of waiting in the long customs line, you go to a little computer kiosk, scan your passport, answer a few questions, then go to a separate line reserved only for people who have global entry. It is like a fast pass at Six Flags or Disneyworld. You go right to the front of the line. And it has saved us a lot of time and frustration in our travels.

When we came back from Belize, we landed in Houston, got off the plane and waited for our bags. We had already scanned our passports and were ready to go. We got our bags and headed for the line marked “Global Entry.” The regular customs line had about 40-50 people in it. There was no one in the line marked “Global Entry.”

Cheryl was a few steps ahead of me, and just before we entered the “Global Entry” line, the pilot from our flight rushed in front of me and cut me off. He was now walking between Cheryl and myself. Cheryl didn’t see him, so I called out to her and said to let him go ahead, which she did. He was obviously in a hurry and did not even acknowledge that she let him go in front of her. When this pilot got to the front of the line, the customs officer, who was this large, sturdy, fierce looking gentleman, asked the pilot, “Do you have global entry?” The pilot said he did not. The officer instructed him to go to the end of the other line. The pilot was incredulous. He said, “really?” The officer did not budge. He said, “Go to the end of the other line.” The Pilot was visibly upset, but he did step aside so that we could get past him. At this point, the customs officer looked at Cheryl and I and asked, “Do you have global entry?” To which I respectfully replied, “Yes sir, we do.”  He called us forward, looked at our credentials, and quickly motioned us through. As we started to walk away, I heard the officer say, “I told you to go to the back of the line.”  I turned around to see the pilot standing in the front of the other line. He had simply stepped in front of about 40 people who were following the rules. And I remember thinking about the officer: I like this guy. He has a strong sense of justice and fairness. But the conversation was not yet over. Again, the pilot stood his ground and said, “No, I’m not going to the end of the line.” The officer said, “Oh yes you are.”  “No, I’m not.”  The last thing I heard as the officer was walking toward the pilot was, “Why don’t you step into my office so I can explain the situation to you.” Cheryl and I both wished we could have heard the rest of the conversation.

My initial reaction was a bit of satisfaction that this arrogant, entitled-feeling little pilot was going to get what was coming to him. But almost immediately after that, I thought of how that is what it will be like for many when Christ returns to be our judge. They will arrogantly stand before the judge thinking they deserve something because of who they are or what they have done. They will be standing there with the wrong credentials, and in fairness a righteous judge will condemn them.

“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” (Malachi 4:1–2, NIV84)

For those who stand before the judge on their own, judgment day will not be a good thing. It will result in tragic consequences for all eternity. However, there is an escape clause. It is not about us or who we are or what we have done. It is about what Jesus has done for us. He paid for sin. He conquered death. He won the victory. And He gives that victory freely to any and all who put their faith in Him. He gives us the credentials we need to stand before Him and be welcomed into heaven.

We have that certainty not just because Jesus died, but because He rose from the dead as well. Easter is a glorious day and a wonderful celebration. However, Easter does not negate the reality that Jesus is coming again to judge the world. He is coming again and He will judge all people. But the Resurrection of Jesus assures us that the judgment that stood against us has been removed for those who have put their faith in Jesus.

God’s grace makes a difference in your lives. It makes all the difference in the world. It is the difference between standing before God to be condemned and being declared “not guilty” for Jesus’ sake. Grace makes that difference.