PRIDE GOES BEFORE A FALL
If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about - but not before God.” Romans 4:2
Just what do people have to be proud about? Our team’s titles, our portfolios, intellect, skills, education, our kids, or our possessions… Maybe before ‘man’, but before God, what boast can we make before Him? We can’t even be proud of our good works - they are like filthy rags.’ (Isaiah 64:6)
“Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” Matthew 21:44
Pride goes before a fall but humility brings grace. Jesus is the stone we either fall on (broken) or He is the stone that will fall on us (be crushed). One way or another, ‘At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord’ (Philippians 2:11-12). If we choose to ‘fall’ on Jesus on earth, we are ultimately choosing Him to save us for Heaven’s sake, so that:
IT IS BY GOD’S GRACE…
“Therefore, the promise came by faith, so that it may be by grace…” Romans 4:16
If salvation is obtained by works, then what kind of place would Heaven be? Much like here, with different levels or classes of people - some really good, some sort of good and some not so good, and yet somehow made it by the skin of their teeth. And you know we’d know who is who in the pecking order. This would cause divisions of one class over another and Heaven would end up being a mess. But, if we are in Heaven because of faith in Jesus and not by our works, He is the one who makes us all one.
…AND SO IT IS GUARANTEED.
“…And may be guaranteed…” Romans 4:16
Our works guarantee nothing, except to do more, or to do it better. And how would we know? We wouldn’t, until we stood before God for His verdict (too late). What peace is there with that? What rest could we experience? What comfort would our loved ones have? But Heaven is a place of rest - a ceasing of labor, because salvation is by grace (a gift). So, our assurance is that Jesus did it for us. He was the only guarantee the job would be done right.
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