Nothing You Can Do - The Wesleyan Church

All are justified freely by his grace. (Rom. 3:24)

Expanded Passage: Romans 3:24-26

A religion professor in college told me that if there was anything people could do to earn their salvation, there would be a lot more people in heaven. God’s grand design for salvation is indeed grand. It is grander than any other religion or worldview could even conceive. Since all other religions are made in the image of humankind, the only hope they can offer is the use of human effort to attain heaven, or whatever the final goal of that particular religion is.

Christians know that we cannot get to heaven by hitting a magic number of good thoughts or works. Simply put, you will never be good enough to get to heaven on your own. So what is a person to do? Look to God! He has provided a way of salvation, just like he always does. Redemption is not for a select few; it is for anyone. Salvation is God’s idea and can only be accomplished on God’s terms. Those terms are by faith in Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.

Remember, the law that Paul spoke about in this passage reveals a lawgiver who is just. God does not compromise any part of himself to suit us. We are to submit to God. When we don’t, our condemnation is just. Are you working to please God?

Do something good today, not because you must but because you can.

Devon Smith is district superintendent of the Tri-State District of The Wesleyan Church and founder/director of the CROSS Training ordination program at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.