“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)
If someone thinks they are going to get to heaven by good “works,” it is pretty clear that one will always wonder if they’ve done enough. It will not be a “know-so” salvation. It will be a “hope-so” salvation.
Rather than standing up straight in confidence like an exclamation point, you will be bent over and wondering like a question mark. That is, until we understand that it’s all by grace. Suppose everybody who wanted to be saved had to run around the block. Some can’t run. What if you had to read a chapter in the Bible to be saved? Some can’t read. But there is one thing that can make the promise sure, and that is grace.
When we are saved we are transformed. Most people think we become righteous before God. That is impossible for us to do. Becoming something means we change something about ourselves. When I was younger I wanted to become an airplane pilot. Some want to become Doctors, Pastors, Moms or Dads. Each of these is important but we must change something to get there. School, marriage, etc. are all things we change in our lives to become something “different.” But it is something done on OUR part.
Righteousness is another thing. God is the only one righteous. Therefore we cannot become righteous. Adam and Eve tried that and we have been separated from God ever since. Since God is the only one righteous, and we have no hope of ever “becoming” righteous, something must change and it is something we cannot do ourselves.
In Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone are we MADE righteous. Doctors are not “made.” Moms are not “made.” But in the image and likeness of God are we all created and we are made righteous through Jesus Christ.
Who can we share this Good News with today? Think of at least one person, and ask God to give us a bold love and a divine opportunity to do just that.
Hello Again!!
7 years ago
