Walking in Faith

Josh Harris shared a story from a book that I think is well worth discussing.  Josh quoted Bryan Chapell, in his book Holiness by Grace.  Bryan gives the account of a man that passed away and met the angel Gabriel at heaven’s gates.  The following is an excerpt from his book:

Said the angel to the man, “Here’s how this works. You need a hundred points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things that you have done, and I will give you a certain number of points for each of them. The more good there is in the work that you cite, the more points you will get for it. When you get to a hundred points, you get in.”

“Okay,” the man said, “I was married to the same woman for fifty years and never cheated on her, even in my heart.”

“That’s wonderful,” said Gabriel, “that’s worth three points.”

“Three points?” said the man incredulously. “Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my money and service.”

“Terrific!” said Gabriel, “that’s certainly worth a point.”

“One Point!” said the man with his eyes beginning to show a bit of panic. “Well, how about this: I opened a shelter for the homeless in my city, and fed needy people by the hundreds during the holidays.”

“Fantastic, That’s good for two more points,” said the angel.

“TWO POINTS!!” cried the man in desperation. “At this rate the only way that I will get into heaven is by the grace of God.”

“Come on in,” said Gabriel.

What a great reminder to us on the grace of God Almighty.  Some claiming to be Christians would argue that you have to earn your way into God’s heavenly kingdom.  The Bible makes it clear that this isn’t true.  The doctrine is referred to as sola fide.   Some references:

Acts 16:31 (ESV)
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Acts 26:16-18 (ESV)
¹⁶But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, ¹⁷delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles–to whom I am sending you ¹⁸to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Romans 3:28 (ESV)
For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Romans 11:5-6 (ESV)
⁵So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. ⁶But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

Jesus Christ’s blood on the cross was sufficient for the entire world’s atonement.  Our works are nothing more than fruits of the Spirit.  People get so hung up on their ability to do acts that are pleasing to the LORD.  Unfortunately, the Bible is clear on that point as well:

 ⁹What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, ¹⁰as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;
¹¹no one understands;
  no one seeks for God.
¹²All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
  no one does good,
  not even one.”
¹³“Their throat is an open grave;
  they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
 ¹⁴“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
¹⁵“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
 ¹⁶in their paths are ruin and misery,
¹⁷and the way of peace they have not known.”
 ¹⁸“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

We can not do anything pleasing to the LORD, except through Christ and the Spirit.  God’s grace allows us to do marvelous things!  These fruits are a gift from God — they are not a requirement for salvation.  When we say that we have to work our way into heaven, we are limiting the power and awe of our Creator.  We are making salvation all about us and our ability to do, or not do, something.  Why?  Is it so hard to imagine that the Almighty Father is control of these sort of decisions?

People live their lives every day wondering about their salvation.  God’s Word makes it crystal clear to anyone who is searching for the truth.  Open your eyes!  Drink of the everlasting water!  God wants to have a relationship with you. 

All it requires is faith on your part — recognize that you are a sinner and cannot draw close to the LORD on your own but that God has a great purpose for you.  Believe in your heart that God sent Jesus to the earth as God made man.  Believe that Christ was crucified on the cross for the sins of the world.  Ask Christ to enter your live and have His death on the cross count for your sins.  Once you believe this in your heart and soul, reach out to the LORD and talk to Him about this.  He will be there for you.  He will hold you close and protect you.  Be assured that in heaven, the heavenly hosts are throwing a party in your name.  You have entered into the eternal family of our great Father God.