John 12:26 NLT
Not too long ago, I had the privilege of having a heart-to-heart conversation with a non-believer who really did not have a clue who God is in all His glory and majesty. He believed “good” people should get to go to heaven simply for being good to others. I told him that would be nice, but that’s not how it worked.
I explained to him the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ – by confessing our sin, then believing that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, accepting His sacrifice on the cross for our sin, and finally to confess with our mouths and believe in our heart that Jesus is Lord and God raised Him from the dead. My friend didn’t like that because he knew people who were always kind to others and gave to charities and helped others, but they didn’t believe in Jesus. He thought they should get to go to heaven. I was praying in my heart during the whole “defense” of what he believed, asking for the right words to say in response… and following is the analogy I believe God provided.
I explained, "I have a very good job. My boss lines out what I’m to do and if I expect a paycheck – what I believe is my just reward for doing what’s expected of me – then I do what I’m supposed to do. And if I don’t, I can also expect to lose my paycheck. You see, it’s not my company, so I can’t make up the rules to suit my likes and dislikes, to be what I want them or don't want them to be. I have to follow the rules established by the authority to be able to reap the benefits of being employed."
"Who do you think created heaven?"
"Who do you think it belongs to?"
"Who do you think is the Boss there?"
To all three questions, he replied unequivocally, “God.”
So I asked him, "If God created heaven, and heaven belongs to Him, and God is the boss there, then He makes the rules, and His rule book clearly states that the only way to heaven is through Jesus. There is no other way in."
My friend had never thought of God in that capacity. He thought of Him as a kind of good luck deity that would follow us around, and be at our beck and call, blessing us when we did something good. However, neither God nor His Son said they would follow us. Jesus DID say They would be with us always, but that’s because He first said, "Follow Me."
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for our rebellion when we want to lead You and want You to follow and bless what we want. We are so wrong. Lord, we choose to follow You. Give us a clear understanding of who You are in Your fullness and help us to walk in Your steps. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
To all three questions, he replied unequivocally, “God.”
So I asked him, "If God created heaven, and heaven belongs to Him, and God is the boss there, then He makes the rules, and His rule book clearly states that the only way to heaven is through Jesus. There is no other way in."
My friend had never thought of God in that capacity. He thought of Him as a kind of good luck deity that would follow us around, and be at our beck and call, blessing us when we did something good. However, neither God nor His Son said they would follow us. Jesus DID say They would be with us always, but that’s because He first said, "Follow Me."
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for our rebellion when we want to lead You and want You to follow and bless what we want. We are so wrong. Lord, we choose to follow You. Give us a clear understanding of who You are in Your fullness and help us to walk in Your steps. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
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