These days everyone wants something for nothing it seems. This is the theory behind why supermarkets and shops offer coupons and reward cards. And I have to admit to being part of it. Not only have we managed to get a few helpful items through using our reward points, but I am one of the featured authors in a free book give away.
To promote her new book The Listening Land, due out soon, Anne Hamilton is running a giveaway of 1111 books by Australian Christian authors. The list includes children’s books, poetry, non fiction and fiction. 3 of mine are included in the 1111 books being given away. To obtain a free book you have to register. The proviso for people living outside of Australia is you have to buy one book to cover the cost of postage of the free book overseas. So far there’s been a lot of interest. After all, everyone wants something for free, that is except when it comes to salvation.
How often have you heard someone say ‘but believing in Jesus is too easy.’ People are happier with a religion where they have to do something to get to heaven. Where they have a system of good works and feel like they’re achieving something. But that’s not the way it works. It’s not about what we do but about what Jesus has already done.
If we live a life of good works it won’t improve our chances of getting to heaven and eternal life one iota, UNLESS we have first believed in the Lord Jesus. God is the one who set up the plan of salvation. God gets to make the rules. His rules say, ’For God so loved the world He have his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life,’ John 3:16.
God sent His son into the world to save us, John 3:17 so those who believe in Jesus are not judged BUT God warns,
‘he who does not believe has been judged already , because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God,’ John 3:18.
It is plain then that good works and trying to live a good life is not going to cut it with God. He has told us what is required and Jesus has told us, there is one way and one way only to God, John 14:6.
Are you following the right way? The only way? Or are you trying to earn your way into heaven because if you are, it won’t work. Following rules or rituals or a path of good works won’t get us there. God has told us plainly what is required. Salvation is free. All we have to do is believe in the Lord Jesus.
Bible verses from the New American Standard Version
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