“Brownie points” with God?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Have you ever laid your head on the pillow at the end of a long day and satisfyingly said, “Well, I was a good person today, so if I died tonight I will go to Heaven.”

If being religious could get you into Heaven, then why was a religious man like Paul struck down on the road to Damascus? Why was he asked by the Lord, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” (Acts 9:4b).

More importantly, if we could save ourselves with our good deeds, God did not need to send His only Son into the world as a sacrifice for the likes of you and me. No, it is Jesus’ righteousness and His alone that saves us.

ACTION POINT:

Take stock: What “religious” things are you doing, hoping to score a few more “brownie points” with God? This is what is called “works doctrine.”—that by your good works you’ll do enough to qualify and crack open that door to Heaven. Abandon it. Come to Jesus and say, “Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to Thy cross I cling.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers