One sunny spring day in May, Harold and I decided that since we had gotten all our duties finished, we would go for a ride through the woods. We started off on our A.T.V.’s (all-terrain vehicles), not sure just where we should go. After talking it over, we decided to go to the great sand pit.
As we raced along the trails to the sand pit, we stopped occasionally to admire the landscape and have a little fun. When we reached the sand pit we saw that it was a great place to ride A.T.V.’s. There were huge high walls to climb, water puddles to drive through and get wet, and sand bumps to jump with the machines.
We were having a great time. As we raced up and down the pit wall, I decided that I could climb all the way to the top, then right over the edge and onto the plateau.
Harold waited at the top. I got ready and went flying up the side of the pit. But then the fun stopped . . . I did not make it. When I got nearly to the top, I began to fall. I yelled out for Harold. “Harold, help! I’m going to fall!”
How many of us are not going to reach another goal - heaven? We all want to get there, but some of us are trying to make it on our own. I was counting on my powerful A.T.V. to get me to the top of the sand pit, but I failed. And those who are counting on their good, clean lives to get them to heaven will fail too, because that is not God’s way.
A good, clean life is the right way to live, but it cannot get anyone to heaven. Our sins keep us out of heaven. And in case you don’t think you have any sins, God reminds us in Romans 3:22,2322Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:22‑23), “There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory [approval] of God.”
There was nothing Harold could do to keep me from falling back down the wall of the sand pit. But God has provided a way, His way, of removing those sins that will keep you out of heaven. It is through a person, His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. When He was on Calvary’s cross, He bore the penalty for every sin of every person who will come to Him, admit that he or she is a sinner, and accept His love and forgiveness. The Lord Jesus Himself said, “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).
It is that simple, and it is God’s promise.
Will you come God’s way?
ML-06/12/1994