(May 30, 2008)

The greatest question one can ever ask in relation to his or her life may be worded in different ways, but it comes down to one thing: “What does God expect from me?”  And the answer is, He wants your heart.  When it comes to pleasing God, there are three things we should keep in mind:

1)  TRUST IN YOURSELF IS FUTILE. No one can keep the law of Christ “good enough.” Even if we could, we would still be undeserving servants (Lk. 17:10). Salvation by law-keeping is not an option for sinners; it is much too late for that. If you think that on the Day of Judgment you will be saved because you have kept the New Testament “good enough” you are sadly mistaken. On your best day of obedience, you have not kept a fraction of God’s righteous requirements. 

2)  SALVATION FROM GOD IS FREE. You cannot pay for or earn the eternal salvation of your soul; you can only accept it as a free, undeserved gift. The only service God will accept from sinners is that which comes from a heart of thankfulness for the salvation He accomplished in His Son. Unless our works emanate from a heart of total reliance upon what Christ has done, they profit us nothing, for God does not accept works in which we trust.

3)  THE TRUE CHRISTIAN IS FAITHFUL.  Faithfulness is referred to in Scripture as “walking in the light” (1 Jn. 1:7), “walking after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1), and “abiding” in Christ (Jn. 15:4). If He is my Savior, He is my Lord. To be His disciple, I must continue in His word (John 8:31). There is no condemnation for the faithful Christian who is serving Christ out of an attitude of love and a desire to follow Him until the end (Rom. 8:1).  A faithful Christian cannot go to hell.