Jesus is not for sale

And neither is His salvation.

His salvation is a free gift to us.  Totally undeserved.  Totally unmerited.

Do you remember that line from the Elton John song Tiny Dancer, "Handing tickets out for God"?

That lyric has always bothered me.  There is no ticket to God.  Nothing to "hand out."  I suppose Elton was referring to a gospel tract, not sure.

Though tracts are powerful, they are not tickets.  

The Gospel message is for everyone.  Since we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God - everyone from Mother Theresa to Hitler - we are all in desperate need of a Savior.

Enter Jesus.

Many would like to earn their way to heaven by trying to be a "good person."  No dice.  Even the finest human being is not perfect enough for heaven.  

Many would like to "buy" their way in (hence, the ticket analogy) with their good works or donations to charities and other worthy causes.  Again, no dice.

The only way in is through Jesus.  Finished, finito, end of subject.

If this offends you - if you would rather think of yourself as "good" or good enough - then I offer you this Scripture:

"The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
"But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’  I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  John 18:11-14

Get it?

Instead of being offended by being called out for our need for a Savior, we should be eternally grateful, leaping for joy that Jesus provided a way to heaven for us!

And for those of us who are born again, eternal life has already begun.  Yep, that's right!

When the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us through the new birth, eternal life is given to us.  That is the hope we have living inside of us - hope that reaches beyond this life and is anchored in Jesus Himself and His work on the cross for us.

We all need hope.  If this pandemic taught us nothing, it should be that - we all need to hope in something beyond a vaccination or an end to the pandemic.  Those are merely temporary.  

But if we go on living apart from God, then even a vaccination or an end to this dreadful virus will never offer us the kind of hope we really need:  eternal.

Our souls were born for more.  Our souls were created by our Creator God to live forever.  I mean think about it - if this life were the only one, how awful would that be?!  Even if we lived to be 100, it is still but a blink of time.  Knowing that our mortal lives will definitely end would cause great reason for no hope!

But!  But our gracious Heavenly Father has so much more for us.  Once born again, we are His children and destined to spend eternity with Him!!!  None of us deserves this!  That is what makes it so wonderful and appealing!  And it's true, folks!

Deep down we know this, for God has set eternity in our hearts.

"He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, without the possibility that mankind will find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end." Ecclesiastes 3:11

So thank God that Jesus is not for sale!  We can't buy or earn our way into His Presence.  Jesus provides the way because He is the way.

Won't you let His eternal life into your heart today?  For then you will have true hope always.

Dear Lord.  When I think of what You endured all because You want us to be with You forever in Your glory, in Your Heaven, in Your Kingdom, in Your Presence - I am overwhelmed.  You love us that much!  You are worthy of all of our worship and praise and adoration, Lord Jesus.  Forever we will praise Your Name!  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.