Thoughts: We think we get what we deserve. Too many think the good folk go to heaven and the bad folk don't make it. It is not fair that sinners get into heaven. But this is a mistaken sense of justice that doesn't take our wrongdoing seriously. The Bible says that our righteousness- that we think is so great is as "filthy rags." What we think is pure is still stained. Our motives are never perfect, our actions are never perfectly sinless. But the good news is that our salvation does not depend on us. If it did, we could brag about how good we were, and self-righteousness would rule the day. But we are saved instead because of his mercy- his washing- his cleansing of us. This happens by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit makes the salvation of Christ real to us- applying us to our life. Grace means we do not deserve salvation. Other religions advocate earning your way to heaven by ten commands, ten steps, seven ways or keeping some code. There is no ladder that we must climb to go into heaven. But the way of Christ is that a sacrifice- made on the cross by the infinite God-man. It is not that we earn, pay, work our way into heaven. But the door has been opened by the only One who can open it- Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, you are merciful. Thank you for your mercy and love.
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