Out Of The Abundance Of The Heart

A few years ago, a brother and I went to study the Scriptures with a few men who also professed a faith in Jesus Christ. Our intention was to demonstrate that these men possessed an erroneous understanding of the word of God, especially when it came to the issue of salvation.

After arriving, we exchanged pleasantries, and sat down across from one another at a large table. Before we could start our discussion on the "issues", one of the men asked me a question. He said, "if you died today, and stood before God in judgment, and He asked you, 'why should I let you in to my heaven?', what would you tell Him?".

Without hesitation, I looked at him and answered, "I would say: Because I've done your will... I believed, repented of my sins, was baptized, preached the word, and lived faithfully...". The one who asked me the question then asked, "is there anything else?" I then listed off a few more things that I had done, and told him that that was about it. He then said to me, "so, salvation is about what you do, then?... you mentioned everything that you do, and have done, but did not mention what Jesus did...".

As realization set in, I felt as if I had been punched in the stomach. I knew that Jesus had to be my answer, but when asked, I pointed to myself, and to my works. This answer was deeply unsettling to me, and continued to haunt me until the Lord allowed me to fully realize that I had been trusting in my own works for salvation, more than I was trusting in Jesus Christ. I answered the way that I did because, as Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (cf. Matt. 12:34).

Today, when I speak with people about the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, and ask them the question that I was asked, I often hear responses that are similar, if not identical to the one that I had given years before. I realize that many are under the same deception that I was under, in some form or another, and need to be pointed to Jesus Christ. Their works, their this, their that, their whatever is the thing that they point to when faced with judgment. Instead of Jesus, and His shed blood, the reason that God should allow them into heaven is because of something that they did, or are doing.

Jesus said, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matt. 7:20-21) .

May the abundance of our heart confess Jesus on that day, and on the days leading up to it... May we look away from ourselves, our works, and what we do, and truly trust in Him.