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Some time ago, a woman tried to smuggle herself into our country by curling up in a large suitcase. Sadly, she died on the way. Like her, some people make futile attempts hoping to enter the kingdom of God. They foolishly think money or good deeds will qualify them for heaven. God foresaw the futility of these puny efforts, and decided to offer salvation based on faith alone—a means that challenges the proud to confess their need for God, a means that offers equal opportunity to the rich, poor, and everyone else. In Galatians chapter 3, the Apostle Paul wrote to explain this wonderful truth: “‘Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.’ The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, ‘All nations will be blessed though you.’” So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessings Abraham received because of his faith.” The Bible defines faith as total reliance on God—not merely mental assent. It is total reliance on the merits of Jesus Christ and the total commitment to do His will.
