A friend told me recently of a young mother who was trying to explain her fathers death to her 4-year-old. The girl wondered where Grandpa was. Im sure hes in heaven, the mother answered, because he was very good. The girl replied sadly, I guess I wont be in heaven. Why not? her mother asked in surprise. Cause Im not very good.
The story saddened me, as Im saddened when I hear of others who believe they must be very good to get into heaven, especially since we all know deep down in our hearts that were not very good at all.
Perhaps like this little girl youre thinking about your sins and asking, What must I do to get to heaven? The answer has already been given: Jesus, by His death, has paid in full the price of your sins, no matter how sordid, tawdry, or shameful they may be. Your salvation is free.
God promises, Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isa. 1:18). John Donne writes:
Or wash thee in Christs blood, which hath this might,
That being red, it dyes red souls to white.
No one is good enough to get into heaven. Eternal life is a gift. Receive Jesus by faith.
Love your bee picture, JC! Here’s mine:
http://images.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/34134.jpg
(Could not be optoimized)
Some bees just aren’t happy being a ‘bee’:
http://images.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/34412.jpg
Lovely bee and blossom.