THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, April 17, 2023

Lord, have there been instances in Heaven where people stood with mouths wide open, raised eyebrows in disbelief as a new arrival entered through the Pearly Gates? “What is he doing here?” they whisper among themselves. “She is the last one I thought I’d see here.” “He never took any catechism classes to join the church. He has no right to be here.” Did the new arrival look just as surprised to see them?

Okay, Lord, I know that never happens in Heaven. But in our carnal, human nature we tend to be judgmental when comparing our spiritual life and behaviors with others. Thankfully, You do not accept us on our merits but only through Your grace.

There is no doubt You created us in Your image. You are our Creator, but not every human being is Your children. The Gospel of John explains who Your children are.

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God,”—John 1:12, 13 (NLT) [emphasis mine].

Lord, You made it so easy to be Your child. No classes required, no joining a religious organization, no working oneself to the point of exhaustion, trying to impress You. To become Your child all You require is to believe who You are, the Son of God, and accept You will do what You say You will do. We must believe who we are—a sinner in need of redemption, and accept You came to save sinners like me.

If people ask what right I have to be in Heaven, I’ll simply say, “I followed what the Man who wrote the Book said to do, and He said I could come.”

Amen, Jesus.