Many people today, based on their giving and good deeds are trying to pay for a ticket to heaven. They fail to realize salvation cannot be bought. No one has enough money or can perform enough deeds to pay for salvation. It can only be received as a free gift when we humble ourselves before God, confess our unworthiness, turn from our sins, and accept the gift of God’s Son as our Savior. Paul explained it this way in Romans CH 5, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.” So today, rather than trying to earn our way to heaven, we can humbly accept His gift of salvation; then let him use us for his highest purposes in this world.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
