Thursday, January 8, 2015

GRACE AND WORKS


This is the story of a man with whom I worked. David was a remarkable man.

Remarkable in his steady demeanor through 33 years of service with the same ministry.

Remarkable in his gentle, caring love for his wife of 30 years.

Remarkable in his unwavering dedication to his children - through triumph & trouble.

Remarkable in the respect he earned from co-workers & acquaintances.

Remarkable in that when he died too suddenly & too soon at age 56, no one had anything bad to say about him.

Remarkable!

Yet as friends & family sat in solemn silence at the funeral, David's pastor put his life in perspective. Family members had extolled David's character & comforted everyone with the assurance that he was in heaven.

Then the pastor said, "None of the good things David did earned him one second in heaven. He is there because he accepted God's salvation through Christ."

It's true. No matter how remarkable our lives are, we cannot earn heaven. It's a gift.

As religious & well-loved as you may be, you won't go to heaven unless you accept God's gift of eternal life. Ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins. That will make your life truly remarkable. - J D Branon. (preceptaustin.org)

“In contradistinction to the Gospel of Christ, the gospel of Satan teaches salvation by works. “ - A.W. Pink.

“The truth is that, though we were justified by faith alone, the faith that justifies is never alone (it always produces fruit, "good works,"...a transformed life).” - J.I. Packer.

Eph 2:8 (GNB): “For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.”

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