Ephesians 2:8 – For it is by grace you have been saved through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (NIV)

Recently, I went on a trip to another city and looked forward to visiting an older couple I've known for a long time. They are the nicest people and don't feel they need God. We human beings prefer to do things our own way. One will say, "A loving God wouldn't refuse us," or "I'm a good person."

My thoughts turned to how God's way could be explained. Suppose we sent a child to clean up his or her room, and then found that although it was spotless, the drawers were more or less empty, and likewise the closet; everything in fact had been chucked out the window onto the lawn! Would we as loving parents pat our child on the head and issue special privileges for a job well done? No! We expect the chore to be carried out as instructed. Likewise God, Who loves the whole world, expects us to follow His instructions.

The Bible tells us how to reach God: through no goodness of our own, but through Jesus, Who provided us with free admission to His kingdom if we only accept Him as our Saviour. John 3:16 gives us the key: we are to be born again.

Prayer: Lord, we need to do it Your way. Our will so often comes in and tells us otherwise. Help us to see that Your way is the only way to You. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Shirley Dobie <sherl@telus.net>
Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada
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