WE ONCE heard of a man who declared he was going to get into heaven his own way — he was going to get in on account of his own good deeds. He was very liberal, gave away a great deal of money to charities and to the poor, and he thought the more he gave the better it would be for him in the other world.
Well, one night this man dreamed that he was building a ladder to heaven, and that every good deed he did put him up one rung higher on the ladder. When he did an extra good deed it put him up a good many rungs. And in his dream he kept going up and up, until at last he got out of sight, and he went on and on doing his good deeds, and the ladder went up higher and higher. At last he saw it run right up to the very throne of God.
Then in his dream he thought he died, and that a mighty voice came rolling down from above, “He that climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” Down came his ladder at once! Then he woke from his sleep, and he thought, “Well now, if I want to get into heaven I must go the right way.”
Dear friend, it is only by way of the Lord Jesus, crucified upon the cross of Calvary, that we can hope to go to heaven. He has said, “I am the door, by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9).
If one had to work his way into heaven, no one would ever enter those gates of pearl. No, “for by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8,98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9).
Let us listen to the words of the Lord Jesus, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6).
ML-09/17/1972