This is the devotion I plan to share tomorrow at our Bible class during our service with the Lord's Supper.
The
other day a friend shared with me a story about a man who suddenly died. Just like that, the fellow finds himself
standing before St. Peter at the pearly gates.
The
fellow attempts to walk through the gates but Peter says, “Hey Buddy! Not so
fast! You need 100 points to make it
into heaven. Here’s what we’re going to
do. You tell me all the good things that
you’ve done and I’ll give you a certain number of points, depending on how good
it was. When we’re done, if you’ve got
at least 100 points you’re in.”
The
fellow shrugged his shoulders and said, “OK.”
He didn’t realize this is how things worked in heaven but he was willing
to give it a try. “First,” said the
fellow, “I was married to the same woman for 55 years and I never cheated on
her once, not even in my heart.” St.
Peter exclaimed, “That’s wonderful! That’s worth three points!”
The
fellow was taken aback. Only three
points for marital faithfulness? But he kept going. “St. Peter, you should also know that I
attended church and Bible class all my life.
And I always gave 10% of my income back to my church. My pastor knew he could count on my
tithe.” St. Peter responded, “I’m
impressed! That an additional two points!”
Now
the fellow started to sweat. All he had
was a total of five points and he was running out of good deeds to share with
St. Peter. Then he remembered something
that he thought should be worth a lot of points. “St. Peter,” said the fellow, “here’s
something else I’m proud of. I started a
soup kitchen in my city. We served over
200 meals a day!” St. Peter responded, “That’s terrific! Another two points for you!”
The
fellow was flabbergasted. All his good
works had amounted to only seven points.
He cried out, “At this rate, the only way I get into heaven is by the
grace of God!” And St. Peter answered,
“Come on in.”
Well,
I hope that story gave you a little chuckle.
More importantly, I hope you understand its important truth. If there were a point system to gain entry
into heaven, none of us could every amass enough points to please God. He expects our works to be perfect. His standard is that we keep all of his
commands. God wants nothing less than
perfect holiness from us.
Who
of us can please God in that way? Not you.
Not me. Still, there is a way for
you and me to one day be welcomed through the gates of heaven. It’s by grace, God’s grace.
The
apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by
works, so that no one can boast.”
Grace
– God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense. God’s riches of
salvation and eternal life come to us as a free gift at Christ’s expense. His shed blood on the cross was full payment
for our failure to keep God’s commands in our life. Through faith in Jesus’ sacrificial death and
resurrection, all these gifts of God are yours.
You never have to worry about having St. Peter survey your life and
finding out you fall short. Jesus has
made it possible for you to one day hear and accept that gracious invitation to
come on in. Praise your Lord and Savior today.
