The Path to Heaven: Third Person Only
- RJ Boatman Ministries
- Sep 1, 2024
- 3 min read
We will never walk into Heaven in the “first person”: Because “I” had faith. Because “I” believed. We can only walk into Heaven in the “third person”: Because He gave His life for our sins. Because He first loved us.
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
We live in a world that celebrates the individual. From the time we are children, we are taught to stand up for ourselves, claim our rights, and take pride in our accomplishments. This culture of self-reliance can sometimes seep into our spiritual lives, where we might begin to think that our entrance into Heaven is something we can earn through our actions, our faith, or our goodness. But Scripture teaches us something radically different.
The Danger of "I" in Salvation: In the Bible, we see examples of individuals who placed confidence in their own righteousness or actions. The Pharisee in Luke 18:11 prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men... I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” Notice the focus on "I." This self-centered approach to God is a dangerous path because it suggests that our relationship with Him is based on what we do, rather than what He has done.
However, the Bible makes it clear that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). No matter how much faith we muster or how many good works we accumulate, we cannot erase the sin that separates us from God.
Isaiah 64:6 reminds us that even our righteous deeds are like filthy rags before the holiness of God. This highlights the limitation of the "first person" perspective in salvation.
The Power of "He" in Salvation: The only way to approach God is not by focusing on what "I" have done, but on what "He" has done for us. Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice, taking upon Himself the punishment that we deserved. As 1 John 4:19 says, "We love because He first loved us." It is His initiative, His grace, and His love that make salvation possible.
When we come to God, we must come in humility, recognizing that it is not our faith or our works that save us, but His grace alone. As Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Let us embrace the truth of the Gospel that our hope, our faith, and our entrance into Heaven rests solely on Jesus Christ. Let us cast aside any reliance on our own efforts and humbly accept the gift of grace that He offers. And as we live out our days, may we always remember that it is by His sacrifice, His love, and His grace that we will one day walk through the gates of Heaven.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to remember that our hope is in Him alone and not in anything we have done. May we live our lives in humble dependence on Your grace, always acknowledging and honoring Jesus for our gift of salvation. In His precious name, we pray. Amen.
Commentaires