Earning a Place in Heaven?
Michael Bloomberg, former mayor of New York City, once said, “I am telling you, if there is a God, when I get to heaven I’m not stopping to be [judged]. I am heading straight in…I have earned my place in heaven.” Such an assertion was possibly made in light of Bloomberg’s valiant efforts against obesity, smoking and gun control. (Odd that he apparently omitted Jesus Christ entirely from his remarks.)
Mr. Bloomberg's comments seem presumptuous and arrogant to Christians, as well they should. According to the Bible, "by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9). Isaiah observed that our righteous works are as “filthy rags” in the God's sight – Isa. 64:6. Moreover, Jesus declared that we are “unprofitable servants” even if we do everything God asks of us - Luke 17:10.
But before jumping on Mr. Bloomberg, perhaps we should examine our own attitude about works and salvation. Do we ever assume that we will be admitted to Heaven because we:
· Attend church 3 times weekly?
· Give generously each Sunday?
· Read our Bibles daily?
· Pray several times daily?
· Help the poor?
· Volunteer to help those in need.
· Are loyal and loving as husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, etc.?
Don't misunderstand – obeying Jesus demonstrates REAL faith - Jam. 2:14ff. But heaven isn’t a matter of attainment, it’s a matter of atonement - 1 John 2:2. Salvation does not result from the good we do, but from the good that Jesus did when He died on the cross - 1 Pet. 2:24.
None of us will be admitted to heaven because we “earned” or “deserved” it . We will enter because we GENUINELY believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He paid the debt for our sins - 1 Pet. 3:18.
Live for the Lord in 2024!
Dennis
Michael Bloomberg, former mayor of New York City, once said, “I am telling you, if there is a God, when I get to heaven I’m not stopping to be [judged]. I am heading straight in…I have earned my place in heaven.” Such an assertion was possibly made in light of Bloomberg’s valiant efforts against obesity, smoking and gun control. (Odd that he apparently omitted Jesus Christ entirely from his remarks.)
Mr. Bloomberg's comments seem presumptuous and arrogant to Christians, as well they should. According to the Bible, "by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9). Isaiah observed that our righteous works are as “filthy rags” in the God's sight – Isa. 64:6. Moreover, Jesus declared that we are “unprofitable servants” even if we do everything God asks of us - Luke 17:10.
But before jumping on Mr. Bloomberg, perhaps we should examine our own attitude about works and salvation. Do we ever assume that we will be admitted to Heaven because we:
· Attend church 3 times weekly?
· Give generously each Sunday?
· Read our Bibles daily?
· Pray several times daily?
· Help the poor?
· Volunteer to help those in need.
· Are loyal and loving as husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, etc.?
Don't misunderstand – obeying Jesus demonstrates REAL faith - Jam. 2:14ff. But heaven isn’t a matter of attainment, it’s a matter of atonement - 1 John 2:2. Salvation does not result from the good we do, but from the good that Jesus did when He died on the cross - 1 Pet. 2:24.
None of us will be admitted to heaven because we “earned” or “deserved” it . We will enter because we GENUINELY believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He paid the debt for our sins - 1 Pet. 3:18.
Live for the Lord in 2024!
Dennis
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