"But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Have you ever had a birthday party where you received a gift that you were not expecting and it turned out to be something that you really needed? God's gift to you can be very much like that experience just as long as we accept His gift. All too often, however, we want to reject what He has given us.
This may be in part due to the feeling that we often have when someone attempts to give us something that we know we have not earned. Sometimes we feel a little embarrased when a friend offers to pay for our meal or gives us a present that cost a lot of money. We say, "I appreciate the offer, but I can't accept this." Sometimes we reply, "O.K. you pay this time but I'll pay you back." It seems natural for us feel and respond in this way, even to the most simple gifts that we receive. We often want to feel like we have earned what we receive.
Our society was founded on earning a living for a hard day's work and there is nothing wrong with having a good work ethic. We are told throughout life that we need to work hard in order to achieve success. Do good in school. Work hard in college. Put in some extra hours at the factory. Set goals and earn, earn, earn.
The problem is that what we are so often attempting to earn is only a temporary thing. Our goals, some of which are life-long, are still only life-long. What do we earn for eternity? What goals do we have outside of this life?
Most people believe that they are "good" people and that if they are friendly to their neighbors, don't fuss and argue too much, don't intentionally hurt someone, and follow the rules and laws of the land, then they will get to go to heaven. But all of these things I've listed and most everything we do is founded on how we live here on earth, not how we will live in eternity.
The Bible says, ""Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:20-21 NIV).
Now this doesn't mean that we should not do things in this life like be kind to our neighbors. It only means that the doing of those things is temporary, they are not valued in eternity unless our relationship with God is how it should be.
The Bible also goes on to say "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:22 NIV). And it is the heart, not our works, that God judges. In short, we cannot earn our way into heaven:
"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it" (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT).
So if we cannot earn salvation, how do we get salvation? Simple..we accept it. We accept it as a child accepts a birthday present or a Christmas gift, even if he just pulled the cat's tail or tipped over and broke the lamp. We take it, because it is freely given, by love from our Father. No pride. No thought that it is something that is owed to us or earned. It is given gracefully and we accept it humbly.
Continue to Step Four
This may be in part due to the feeling that we often have when someone attempts to give us something that we know we have not earned. Sometimes we feel a little embarrased when a friend offers to pay for our meal or gives us a present that cost a lot of money. We say, "I appreciate the offer, but I can't accept this." Sometimes we reply, "O.K. you pay this time but I'll pay you back." It seems natural for us feel and respond in this way, even to the most simple gifts that we receive. We often want to feel like we have earned what we receive.
Our society was founded on earning a living for a hard day's work and there is nothing wrong with having a good work ethic. We are told throughout life that we need to work hard in order to achieve success. Do good in school. Work hard in college. Put in some extra hours at the factory. Set goals and earn, earn, earn.
The problem is that what we are so often attempting to earn is only a temporary thing. Our goals, some of which are life-long, are still only life-long. What do we earn for eternity? What goals do we have outside of this life?
Most people believe that they are "good" people and that if they are friendly to their neighbors, don't fuss and argue too much, don't intentionally hurt someone, and follow the rules and laws of the land, then they will get to go to heaven. But all of these things I've listed and most everything we do is founded on how we live here on earth, not how we will live in eternity.
The Bible says, ""Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:20-21 NIV).
Now this doesn't mean that we should not do things in this life like be kind to our neighbors. It only means that the doing of those things is temporary, they are not valued in eternity unless our relationship with God is how it should be.
The Bible also goes on to say "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:22 NIV). And it is the heart, not our works, that God judges. In short, we cannot earn our way into heaven:
"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it" (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT).
So if we cannot earn salvation, how do we get salvation? Simple..we accept it. We accept it as a child accepts a birthday present or a Christmas gift, even if he just pulled the cat's tail or tipped over and broke the lamp. We take it, because it is freely given, by love from our Father. No pride. No thought that it is something that is owed to us or earned. It is given gracefully and we accept it humbly.
Continue to Step Four
