(Just when I thought I was about to pause, it rains all day, and God had other plans. These words are definitely for me, and you just get to come along for the ride.)
Can you imagine standing in front of God when you get to heaven? Just sit with that for a minute. Then imagine if you were asked, “why should you get in?” I’m not sure that is actually what is going to happen but just think for a moment. What would you say?
I grew up in very conservative Baptist churches. There was a heavy emphasis on “praying the prayer” to be saved. There was very good biblical teaching at times, and I credit a lot of my book knowledge of the bible to those teachings. However, the mark on the most important part was often missed. That grace has nothing to do with us.
Remember the story about the rich young ruler? You can read it in Matthew 19, Mark 10, or Luke 18. But I’ll give you a quick rundown. A young rich ruler approached Jesus and asked what he needed to do to get into heaven. Jesus responds to him by asking if the rich young ruler had kept all commandments. The young ruler responds, “but I have” and then asks what else he needed to do to get into heaven. Eventually, the disciples ask what a person must do to be saved. Jesus then says in Mark 10:27, “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Now, go back to your first day in heaven. When asked why you should get in, what would you say? How would you respond?
The rich young ruler said he kept all the commandments. Wasn’t that good enough? I think many people would answer that way. But, I went to church … .but, I was a good person…but, I volunteered at church…but I went on a mission trip …. but, I lifted my arms during worship. Those things are great, but they don’t get you into heaven.
I also think there is another way people would answer that question on their first day in heaven.
Those people would stand there and list all the reasons why they shouldn’t get in. That may sound like this… But, I’m anxious…..But, I’m overwhelmed…..But, you know what I went through…but, you know what happened in college…but, I have nothing to offer….but, I hurt people I love.
I typically fall into the second category, but I actually think both scenarios are the same. Both scenarios have a “but, I” mentality. “But, I” makes my faith about me. Whether that is sharing all the good things you have done or whether that is feeling like you don’t deserve a place at all, both stem from the same root feeling of pride. Both depend on what I have done or what I haven’t done.
Jesus told the disciples and the young rich ruler that what is impossible with man is possible with God. None of us deserve to receive God’s love or receive his grace, but he made it possible. Not by works, though works are important they can’t save you. (James 2:26) If we don’t have a relationship, we can’t receive grace. Grace can’t be earned at all (Ephesians 2:8-9) All we have to do is receive it.
I say this often because it is one of the things I say to myself over and over when I am anxious. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less. He loves you 100% as you are right now.
We can’t live with a “but I” mentality, because grace has nothing to do with us. At all. You can’t earn it, you don’t have to prove yourself to get it, and there aren’t different levels of grace either. All you have to do is receive it. If we are really honest, we have to receive God’s grace more than just through one prayer when you are a small child (in my case anyway.) If we want to be real, sometimes you have to choose to receive grace daily. In some seasons, you may have to choose to receive it hourly.
Our identity in Christ has absolutely nothing to do with who we are as people, our past hardships, the past success we have had, or even what good we will do in the future. Our identity has nothing to do with our earthly roles of mom, sister, friend, etc. Our identity is only defined by who God says we are.
That is super encouraging and every time I forget and start to have a “but I” mentality, I want to remember that my worth and ability to receive grace has absolutely nothing to do with me. I can’t even mess it up which is super comforting.
So, on your first day in heaven, when asked why you should get in, how would your respond?
KM