Short Cut!

Last week, the company that I work for had an all company meeting at an offsite location. To put this into perspective, the company has two different locations and two different shifts. So we are talking almost 300 people trying to get to this location at one time. Did I mention that there aren't a lot of parking spots available? So everybody is rushing to try to get there before everyone else so that they can get a parking spot. People are taking short cuts to get there. Side roads, alleys, whatever they can do to beat the next person to a spot. As I arrive and I see all these cars coming from all different directions, I couldn't help but to think about what people think that they have to do to get to Heaven. I mean there are no shortcuts to get to Heaven. Only one way. Jesus tells us that in the book of John,

John 14:6 (NLT)
⁶ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Jesus tells us that there is only one way. You have to go through Him, to get to The Father in Heaven. There aren't many ways, there is only one. You can't work your way, or buy your way into Heaven. You may think that you're a good person in your own mind, but God tells us otherwise.

Romans 3:12 (NLT)

¹² All have turned away;
    all have become useless.
No one does good,
    not a single one.

Romans 3:23 (AMP)²³ since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God.

God gives us hope though!

Romans 5:8 (AMP)⁸ But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

So we can work hard. Be the most generous and kind person that we can be. That will not get us into Heaven.

Acts 2:21 (NIV)

²¹ And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.

 

Amen to that! Thank You LORD!