All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
Our culture today is all about entitlement. A whole generation has been raised to believe that they should win, regardless of their efforts. (“Everyone gets a trophy!”) And for those who work hard to excel, well, they have to give in (and give up) what was rightly earned, so others won’t “feel bad” about what they didn’t get (or earn). (“No valedictorians allowed!”) People make good money receiving unemployment, so why bother getting a job? Then, of course, there’s the social-media-selfie lifestyle: “I’m awesome, look at me, see how special I am!” It all can be boiled down to three words: I deserve it.
If you were to poll random people today, asking them if they believe there’s a heaven, most people will probably say yes. And, if you followed that up by asking if they’re going to be there, the typical answer would sound something like: “I think I’m a good person, so yes, I think I’m going to heaven.” Most people believe they are good enough—that, in the scheme of things, they’re not “bad” and, certainly, not as bad as other individuals they can bring up as examples (you know, Hitler and his ilk). Yes, our culture of entitlement extends to spiritual things…people are going to heaven because, well, they deserve it.
According to the Bible, the truth is very different from the normative belief. God is holy, righteous, perfect. And He only welcomes perfection into His glorious presence. Any unrighteousness, any sin stain at all, is not tolerable to Him. No one who has ever told a single lie, taken one pencil from work, or had a momentary lustful thought can stand before Him. So, who of us deserves heaven? No one…
…but Jesus.
Jesus—God Himself—came to earth to live the perfect life we could not live. Then, on Good Friday (which we observe this Friday), He hung on Calvary’s cross to pay the penalty we do deserve. The story doesn’t end there, though! On Easter Sunday, we celebrate His glorious resurrection and victory over Death. The tomb is empty, and He has reconciled us to God the Father, making a way—The Way—to heaven.
Salvation is ours by grace alone, through faith (Ephesians 2:8)! Not by doing “more good than bad,” or by doing “enough”—it’s a gift. If you believe Jesus is who He said He is, acknowledge your sin and turn away from it, and surrender your life to Him, you will one day stand before the Throne justified (“just-as-if-I’d” never sinned). Despite our sin (because we’re all still sinners), we are wrapped in the righteousness of Jesus, washed white as snow.
Do you know where you’re going once you leave this earth? Heaven can be your forever home. But you cannot earn it, and you certainly don’t deserve it. Why not make this Easter your new-birth-day and accept the free gift of salvation from Jesus Christ? That, friend, is something you very much deserve.
Lord, as we celebrate Easter Sunday, I pray You draw people to the empty tomb. Let them see that Jesus paid the penalty they deserved, making a way to be reconciled to You.
encouraged by grace 