"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:12-13
I hear on TV or at work or even at church about "good people". Generally, this is someone who is kind to others, who maybe is wise, who tries to help, and who keeps out of others "business". Maybe a good person to you is a humanitarian who serves the homeless or who works to end hunger. Maybe a good person is someone who teaches the best class at your school or who buys pizza for everyone in your club. Maybe a good person is someone we read about in the news who has donated $100 million dollars to a cause or a charity.
Not doubt these are all good actions...
But...Will these good persons go to heaven?
Nothing in the description above would suggest that these "good people" are heaven bound, because no where do we read that these "good persons" have individually accepted Christ as his or her Savior. They have done wonderful actions in the sight of the world, but they have not, based on our above description, done the only thing which will grant them salvation and ultimately a home in heaven.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name [Jesus] under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
In order to be truly saved from ourselves and a entrenched in sin and sorrow, we must turn our lives over to Christ. From that acceptance and from that growing relationship we will find that the good actions flow freely. We will display the wonderful love of Christ through our good deeds, but ultimately any good we do will be an outgrowth of that love and the relationship we each have with Jesus.
What a wonderful title to be called a "good person" but one we should aspire to is to be called a "good Christian".
Scripture
Quote
“Expecting the world to be fair to you because you are a good person is like expecting the bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian.”
Unknown
Question of the Day
Are your good actions flowing from your relationship with God or from your desire to be good?
No comments:
Post a Comment