Or,
What Will Secure a Passport to Heaven?
THE Mohammedan dervishes are a most fanatical set of religionists. We have seen thousands of them dancing, singing, shouting, and praying at the festival of the "Holy Carpet," as it was borne by camel to the tomb of the false prophet at Mecca. Outward formal acceptance of Islam (as the Mohammedan religion is called) is their way of acceptance with God. The Koran (the Mohammedan Bible) is opposed to Christ's deity and His atonement for sin. The Moslems suppose that their (so-called) good works, prayers, and attendance to religious rites and ceremonies will secure them a passport to heaven. Between one hundred and fifty and two hundred millions of people profess the Mohammedan faith.
In one sense there are many religions, in another there are but two. One has well said: "There are only two religions in the world—the true and the false. All phases of false religions are alike. They all say: ' Something in my hand I bring '—the only difference between them being as to what the 'something' is. The true religion says: ' Nothing in my hand I bring '.”
The theology of man's religion is do and live. God's "religion" is that men are "dead (spiritually) in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:11And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1)), and must live ere they can perform acceptable service. "They that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom. 8:88So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8)). Man must be "born again" (John 3:33Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)) ere he can do a single good work. Scripture teaching is entirely opposed to all human religions. The Bible tells us that salvation is "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)).
Many besides Mohammedans are endeavoring to work, pray, or pay their way to heaven. "Something in my hand I bring" is, in fact, a religion that is widely believed among professing Christians. Ask that man who has been a Church member for years what one has to do to be saved, and he unhesitatingly replies he has to "believe on Christ, and act up to it." If that were so salvation would be obtained through faith and works, which is surely not according to Scripture. Ask that respectable "Christian worker" how one is to be "born again," and he tells you that he is to do his duty and keep the commandments. This, surely, is another case of "something in my hand I bring." If heaven were only to be gained by doing our duty and keeping the commandments, no one could ever enter it.
We have all broken the commandments and failed in our duty. What, then, is to become of us? God's religion is "Nothing in my hand I bring." If the reader knows that he is an unsaved sinner and longs to have forgiveness and eternal life, we would urge him to renounce all attempts to merit God's favor. Salvation has been purchased at an infinite cost—the cost of the life's blood of God's beloved Son—and cannot be obtained on the ground of creature merit. Salvation is a free gift (Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23), R.V.), and cannot be purchased by prayers, penance, or sacramental observances. "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood" (Rom. 3:2525Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25)). If salvation were procured by grace and works, heaven would be gained partly on account of what Christ did for the sinner and partly on account of what the sinner did for Christ. But this is utterly opposed to the teachings of Holy Writ. God's way, and His only way of deliverance, is through faith in the blood of Jesus. "And if by grace then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work" (Romans 11: 6).
Give up trying to work yourself into God's favor. Don't attempt to "grow in grace" till you are first planted in grace. Cease thinking of working out salvation till it is first wrought in you by the Holy Spirit.
Whatever you are or have been, Goo LOVES YOU. If you doubt it, gaze on that suffering, bleeding One dying for you on Calvary's Cross. "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:7, 87For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7‑8)). Christ died for you that you might be eternally saved. God's way of salvation is fully and plainly set forth in the blessed words: "Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." It is not "Whosoever believeth that he believes," nor "Whosoever believes that he is saved has everlasting life," it is "Whosoever believeth in Him." How grand and glorious and simple! Why not now believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved for Eternity? If you do so, you will be able to sing truthfully,
“Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy Cross I cling."
A.M.