No need to climb… just reach for Jesus.
It’s not about what we do. No amount of climbing can get us into Heaven. The only way is through Jesus.
Jesus said, “… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John: 14:6 KJV).
As I memorized this verse this past week, I thought about the man in Mark, chapter 10, who ran after Jesus asking what he needed to do to have eternal life. The man knew the commandments and commented, “…all these I have observed from my youth” (Mark 10:20 KJV). Yet, if the man was asking, he must have known in his heart that he was missing something. Jesus replied, “…One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me” (Mark 10:21 KJV).
I was taught early on that if I wanted something, I had to earn it. By helping with chores, I was paid an allowance. Even as a kid, I remember purchasing toys through layaway at local stores. The store would hold the item while I made payments. Once I had paid for the item in full, I could take it home.
However, eternal life cannot earned, and no payment plan is required on our part. Salvation is a gift, purchased and paid in full by the blood of Christ. All we need to do is accept this gift. Only by believing in Jesus Christ can we have eternal life. If we truly believe in Him and prioritize our relationship with Him, we will desire to glorify Him and shine for Him by doing His work. If we are truly His followers, putting Him first in our lives, our sincere love for Him should motivate us to do His work, letting His love overflow and spill into everything we do.
So, the question at the heart of my Bible study this week: Does our primary motivation each day stem from our desire for worldly status and possessions, or are our daily works products of prioritizing our relationship with Christ, allowing His love to be at the center of everything we do?
