You’ve done some nice things in your life. But you have not done enough good works to go to heaven regardless of your sacrifice. Nor do you have enough character to go to heaven. Please don’t be offended. Then, again, be offended, if necessary. You’re probably a very decent person. But decency isn’t enough. You may pay taxes and kiss your kids and sleep with a clean conscience.
Hebrews 12:14 says, “Anyone whose life is not holy will never see the Lord.”
Apart from Christ you are not holy. So how can you go to heaven? Only believe. Accept the work already done, the work of Jesus on the cross. Accept the goodness of Jesus Christ. Abandon your own works and accept his. It would have bankrupted you or me, the price was so extravagant.
Call it a gift. But don’t call it easy. Call it what it is. Call it grace.
By Max Lucado
Used by permission
From: A Gentle Thunder
To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://maxlucado.com/about/
FURTHER READING
• Trading Flaws for Grace – by Kathy Cheek
• Grace Alone – by Laura Rath
• Amazing Grace. Unfailing Love – by John Grant