Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

Christ, while living on earth, was specifically addressing Israel at that time (Matt 10:5-6, Matt 15:24, Acts 11:19, Rom 15:8). Israel was still operating under covenant law, and during the time prior to "the revelation of the mystery" (Rom 16:25-27), which details what Christ crucified for us means.

Those in question of entering "the kingdom" are of the belief that it is by their own works of righteousness that will merit their entry. In doing so, they fail in recognizing God's righteousness, which is to lack what is first required, that being faith: 

Hebrews 11:6
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Their efforts are then considered works of "iniquity" or, "filthy rags", as they are done for more pride in themselves rather than from their lacking love for God:

Isaiah 64:6
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

The issue with the focus being placed on ourselves, rather than on God, became crystal clear through Christ crucified for us:

Rom 10:1-4
"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

Christ, being "the image of the invisible God" (Col 1:15), and on His cross for the world (2 Cor 5:19), is THE display of God's righteousness, His grace, and His love for us.

Rom 5:6-8
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

This visage of Him is our beacon of light that guides us away from ourselves in the flesh and spiritually towards God and new life in Christ.

Gal 6:8
"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

Those who remain lost today fail to recognize a need for God's love. They too have placed their faith in their own self-righteous efforts for pleasing God. It is this very instrument that Satan, "the god of this world" and his "ministers of righteousness" use to keep them from seeing the Light of God that shines in their blinded eyes of darkness: 

2 Cor 4:3-4
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

2 Cor 11:14-15
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

Eph 6:12
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

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