Paid In Full

"By grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God -- not the results of works,
so that no one may boast."
-- Ephesians 2:8-9

Some people just seem to always exhibit the type of behavior we consider as being Christ-like. They always smile, always have a kind word for everyone, always try to help others, always stoop to serve. Everything they do, every act they make, every word they utter, we attribute to their passionate following of the teachings of Jesus, and we are sure they are bound for heaven.

Some folks are boisterous in their religious life, always giving the loudest amens and never afraid to affirm their belief in public, vigorously exhorting all around them to be born again to a life with Jesus. Some are more quiet in their faith, never lifting their heads or hands in worship, but ever meek and humble in service to the Lord. Yet as different as these two groups may seem, they also appear to be assured of their seats beside the Father's throne.

Many of us think doing good works will earn us a pass to heaven. We feel that performing good deeds, being kind to everyone we interact with, helping others, attending church on a regular basis, tithing, and all other such acts of goodness will help pave our way to God's right hand. We just know that although we may stumble and trip up at times -- maybe we have a big sin we're hiding or a list of small transgressions we feel shame for -- altogether we do more good deeds than harbor bad thoughts or acts, so God will understand and let us into His kingdom.

And if we think like that, then we do not truly understand why Jesus Christ walked the face of this earth as a man. Only He has the power to grant us passage to heaven. Only He can intercede with God on our behalf. Jesus paid the ultimate price to assure us of our place in glory, and nothing we can do in this world could ever equal that cost. We are sinners, all of us, and not worthy of heaven. Yet God gave the world His Son, and Jesus suffered, was crucified, and died so that we might gain our place at God's side. The price of our admission has been paid, and paid in full. No amount of good works, no percentage of our possessions, no whispers or shouts can repay what we were so freely given. God's grace alone, through Jesus Christ His Son, can open the gates of heaven before us.

All that is required is that we believe. We must realize that we are sinners, unworthy of the salvation already paid for us. We need only ask God's forgiveness, and mean it. We may be able to convince others that we are something we are not. We may even be able to effectively lie to ourselves, for a time. But we cannot fool God. He sees us as we are, not as we would have others think of us, nor even as we think of ourselves. God truly and surely sees into and knows our very hearts. We must completely and fully believe in God, and in Jesus Christ as our Savior. We must ask forgiveness and pray for our salvation. But that is all we must do. The full cost of our salvation has already been covered. Chances are, though, that by this simple admission and by complete acceptance of Christ, we will strive to more closely follow His example while He Himself trod this earth, and by doing so we will want to do good works. But remember: Good works alone will not buy our way into heaven.

"By grace you have been saved through faith." Those beautiful words assure us, comfort us, yet remind us to keep that faith. By God's grace we have been given what we could never afford to pay. As long as we believe, our bill for salvation is marked "Paid in full".