“Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)

The scribes and Pharisees were only concerned with their appearance and ignored the change in their inner selves. Therefore Jesus pointed out the faults and told them that the way they carry out their life will not allow them to enter the kingdom of heaven.

How should we live out our lives in order to enter the kingdom of heaven?

“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

“Only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven” will be qualified to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Nevertheless, there are numerous obstacles; please listen to Jesus’ explanation with the “parable of the sower”:

“The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” (Matthew 13:19-23)

How can we overcome all those obstacles? The only way is to learn from Jesus’ meekness and humility:

“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4)

Lord, depart from you, to whom shall we go?