Hello ,

I recently had a pleasant conversation with a man who was very concerned about where the world was headed.  He confided, (and I agreed with him), that the world is not what it used to be.  He believed (and so do I),  that the second coming of Jesus might be nearer than we realize.  Then he said something that got my attention when he blurted out the following:

"Ya know, I just need to get my life on track and do more good things than I am currently doing in my life.  I want to be able to go to heaven."  

I couldn't help but feel sorry for what I was hearing.  My new friend honestly didn't know what the Bible says about salvation, and how it is attained. 

You may encounter someone that feels the same way; that eternal life is afforded to those who "are good people that do good things."  If you DO encounter someone like that, let me urge you to kindly and humbly share the following Bible passage with them:

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.  But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:20-24

Until we understand that there is NOTHING that we can do (in and of ourselves) to be saved, we can never fully appreciate just how helpless we truly are when it comes to eternal life.  When we learn to trust Jesus for our salvation, we can possess a peace that passes all understanding.  Good deeds can be a wonderful way to bless others...but they cannot save us.

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word

Suggested Daily Bible Reading

Morning - Isa. 36-39

Evening - Galatians 4:21-5:12