Let Me In!

Have you ever been locked out of some place? Did you have to continue banging or knocking to have someone let you in (if you got in at all)? This is not a good feeling. Somewhere along the line, I think this has been painted as the picture of heaven, and we have to do something to "get in". If you don't believe me, start asking people what they think about heaven, and how one "gets in". I believe you will be surprised at the different answers you will get.

So what does it mean to be saved? This term conjures up so many images in our heads, some more horrific than others, but whatever comes to mind; I think most of us feel it connotes the process of us being saved from some "thing". I believe we are saved from something, don't get me wrong, but I think it is so much more. Salvation is from God, through the gift and sacrifice of Jesus, as God took human form and came to earth, lived sinlessly, suffered, died, and rose from the tomb. It is God's gracious gift in Jesus.

Jesus, then, should be so much more than a ticket to a place we want to get into someday. Jesus saves us from eternal damnation in Hell, and this is really from ourselves. Think about it: we (I know I am) are our own worst enemies, and left to our own, are capable of pretty terrible things. My point is this: salvation is not a thing; it is a process. Jesus is not some golden ticket or secret password we mutter at the pearly gates to "get in". We can't live "good" lives and just think that someday we will just get "there".

Paul tells us in Philippians 2:12:

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,"

Salvation is being saved from our sinful selves. Paul tells us that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory, and Isaiah tells us that no one is righteous, not one. So salvation is not earned, it is God's amazing grace that does it, period. But we have a part. We must choose Jesus. Not by demanding, not as one who is buying a ticket for something, but by going to God, and we must approach God in humility if we want to receive His forgiveness. We can’t strut into His presence bragging about how nice we are, or explaining how much we have done for Him.

In Bethlehem, The Church of the Holy Nativity is built over the place believed to be Jesus’ birthplace. It is a huge stone complex, but it only has one tiny door through which people can enter. It’s called the door of humility and it is less than 48" high. Originally, there was a larger door, but when the Muslims first conquered Bethlehem, the soldiers rode their horses into the church to defile it. So the monks reduced the size of the door so only a person can enter. And every person must stoop and bow and enter alone. What a lesson and picture of salvation!

The doorway of salvation is open to you today, but it is a door of humility as well. You can’t approach God on the basis of what you think you have done, or what you think you have with you–you must do it alone. You can't come to the door with a ticket, password, or knock so much you can get in. You receive His mercy and forgiveness when you humble yourself and bow down before Him. And that position is a process, not a moment in time.

...just sayin'

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat