A story that is true - but that is not a true story!

This is a story that I have sometimes used as an illustration of a great truth. As the opening words, alone, make clear, the story is not, in itself, even remotely true! However it is, to me, somewhat amusing - and the truth that it contains is well worth discovering! So, here it is!

A man died, and arrived at the Pearly Gates (I told you that the opening words would show that the story is fictional!). He was met by Peter, who was holding a clip-board. 

"Hello!", he says to the man. "I assume that you are wanting to go through these gates, and enter Heaven."

"That is correct." replies the man. "Is there a problem?"

"No problem!", says Peter. "All that you have to do is get 100 points, and the Gates will open wide for you."

"100 points? No-one ever told me about 100 points! How do I get them?"

"Just tell me why you believe that you should be permitted to enter." responds Peter.

"Oh!", says the man, "that's okay. Now, let's see. Well, I was a very nice person, always helping others. I would have given you my last penny; my last piece of bread; the coat off my back."

"Very good. That gets you 3 points."

"Hmm," says the man. "Well, I was married to the same woman for 52 years; I was faithful to her; I cared for our children; and played with my grandchildren. I worked hard to provide for all of their needs."

"Impressive!" says Peter. "You've just gained another 5 points!"

"Just another 5?!" exclaims the man.

"That's it." replies Peter.

"Okay. I was a church member, and always put something into the offering plate. I attended every Christmas and Easter, and sometimes managed to fit in a few additional visits."

"That's definitely worth another 3 points." says Peter. "Anything else?"

"Well," (the man thinks hard), I was a good employee. I never gave my boss any problems, and worked as hard as I could."

"Well done!" is Peter's response. "That's another point".

"Hang on." says the man. How many points have I got now?"

Peter does some quick addition. "I make that a total of 12 points." he tells the man.

"12 points!" the man exclaims. "At this rate, only the grace of God will get me in."

"100 points!" says Peter. "Welcome."

As I said, this is a totally fictional story - but it does seek to emphasise the Biblical truth that our good works, whatever they may be, will never, ever, gain us entry to heaven. We can never 'make up' for the sinful life that we have lived. Even the best disciple of Jesus is only a sinner - but a sinner, saved by grace. That is why Paul could write to the Ephesian believers: "... by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:8-9).

If you are depending on a 'good' life for salvation, please think again. You have broken every one of the Ten Words (Ten Commandments) - if not literally, then certainly in your heart. Jesus made clear that the thought is as bad as the deed - not in its action, but in its sinfulness. For example: "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire." (Matt 5:21-22). Now, I can say, with absolute honesty, that I have never killed another human being. But does anyone think that I could claim never to have been angry?! Yet Jesus says that, although my anger is not as bad as committing murder - it is every bit as much a sin that comes between me and Father God! I am a sinner - and I must claim the grace of God.

That is why the Lord Jesus went to the cross. He did so, in order to present Himself, the perfect sinless sacrifice that paid the penalty for your sin, and for mine. What He demands is that we offer Him our lives, in total surrender to His will. Paul, again: "I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Rom. 12:1-2).

The choice is yours - make it count!

Grace!

This morning we had a particular visitor at Wishaw Baptist Church - a young lady named Grace, the younger sister of our current Youth Worker, and one of the loveliest young people I know.  When I composed yesterday's post, I had no idea that I would see Grace today, but it is very appropriate that I did!

Yesterday, having commented on the fact that, in that realm/dimension that we call heaven, there will be no denominations, but that what will be important will be our discipleship of Jesus, I ended by saying that there is more.  Permit me to illustrate by a story!

A man died, and arrived (as in the popular picture) at the Pearly Gates.  There he was met by St Peter - carrying a clip-board and a pen (perhaps that should now be updated to a Tablet, or some similar electronic device!).  Peter explained to the man that, in order to go through the Pearly Gates, he had to acquire 100 points.  The man was rather shocked (I hope that you are, too!).

"100 points!", he said.  "Nobody warned me about that.  How do I get them?"

"Well," said Peter, why do you think that you should be allowed to enter heaven?"

The man thought!  Then he said, "You know, I was a faithful husband for 47 years; caring for my wife; never cheating on her."

"That's very good," said Peter, "Three points.  Anything else?"

The man was aghast!  "Well,", he said, "my wife and I had four children, and I was a good father to them, and provided for all their needs."

"Excellent!" responded the saint.  "That's worth another three points."

The man thought.  Then: "I was a good, and honest employee with the same company, for 52 years - never took extra time at breaks; first in every morning; last to leave in the evening; never stole as much as a paper-clip."

"Wonderful!" exclaimed Peter, "You've just gained another two points."

"Wait a minute!" said the man.  "Of course!  I attended my church fellowship regularly; tithed my income; made a freewill offering on top of that; served as an elder for 26 years; and often preached the Word at church meetings."

"I wondered when you would get around to that." said Peter.  "Now you're getting somewhere.  That's a full ten points.!

"Ten!" exclaimed the man.  "Only ten!  How many have I got, now?"

Peter totted up the points.  "That looks like eighteen." he replied.

"And I need 100?" the man asked.

"That's the goal", said Peter.

"At this rate," responded the man. "only the grace of God will get me in!"

"100 points." said Peter.  "Welcome!"

It's only a humorous story, but it does make a very important point.  Not only does my denominational background make no difference with regard to heaven; nor do my good works - however commendable they may be (and, of course, I am only too aware of my own failures and shortcomings - what the Bible refers to, simply, as my sins!).  The only way by which I may gain eternal life is the grace of God.  My book Great Words of the Faith (see the heading) has a chapter on the word, but suffice it to say, just now, that it is receiving, from God, what I don't deserve.  By the way, mercy, which is often linked to grace, is not receiving from God, what I do deserve!

Are you trying to 'work' your way to heaven?  Are you hoping that, when you die physically, you will have done enough good to over-ride the bad you know you've done?  Are you depending on a kind of 'balance sheet' salvation?

If you are, please give it up - right now!  You have failed, even before you start.  "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:8-9).

Grace - it's the only way!