NOT long ago I decided to go out in a boat. After we were under way, I said to the skipper, “Sir, do you expect to go to heaven?"
He looked astonished at the question, and said, "Yes, yes, of course I do."
"Will you tell me why you expect to go there?" I asked.
Carefully he answered, "Well, you see, I'm a pretty decent sort of a man. I've brought up my family; I'm not a man who is given to swearing. I don't drink. Well... I've had too much a few times, but I'm not a drunkard; I pay my bills on time."
When he paused, I said, "Is that all?"
"No," he said, "I go to church except in the summer when we have visitors who want to go on the water. I'm always kind to my neighbors; if any of them wants me, why, I will get up in the middle of the night to help them."
I said, "Is that all?"
Looking annoyed, he retorted, "Well, and enough too, I should think!"
"No," I said, "that course of action will never get anyone to heaven. God's plan of salvation does not include any good works that we can do." As I explained to him the grace of God and the salvation He freely offers, he just stared at me. He had not heard of salvation by Christ instead of by man's efforts.
This idea of self-righteousness is everywhere, among all classes of people. We must realize that salvation is not of ourselves: it is the work of God. No amount of "right living" will earn it for us; we have only to receive it.
It is the gift of God, and a gift is not to be earned or worked for! It is only to be accepted with thanksgiving. As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. (John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12).)