Salvation can be a controversial subject. It was certainly a focal point of the Reformation. Even today the debate continues.
The Beatles' “White Album” features a lyric, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 all good children go to heaven.” This sounds nice in theory. Of course the problems start when you try to define “good.” As a father and now a grandfather, it is painfully obvious that even the most wonderful children in the world (my grandchild) have a side to them that would not be classified as “good.”
Salvation is indeed based on “goodness,” not our goodness but Christ’s goodness. I can never be good enough. That was Martin Luther’s dilemma. He knew his own inner most thoughts and realized that “goodness” had escaped him. He knew that he could never obtain the righteousness required by God’s law. It changed his life and it changed the world when he discovered the Gospel. Children and adults are saved and go to heaven because Jesus’ paid for their sins on the cross and gives His holiness and righteousness to all believers.
The great truth of Pentecost if found in the words of St. Peter quoting the Prophet Joel, “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of the Gospel. Grant that I may never doubt that my salvation depends upon Jesus and His work on my behalf. Amen.
The Beatles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Fabs.JPG
The White Album
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TheBeatles68LP.jpg
God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus
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