Coconut
Member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2005
- Messages
- 4,663
Grace Alone
A man dreams he is standing at the pearly gates where he is met by an Angel .
The Angel says, "It takes righteousness to enter the kingdom of God."
The man puffs up and says, "That should be no problem. I am a Christian, and a minister to Gods people, who has been faithfully married for 40 years, and I have been a good Father to our children."
The Angel says, "That is not righteous enough."
The man is troubled but unruffled and says, "I am an upstanding citizen in my community, a good neighbor and friend to all, and I have never missed a Sunday service."
The Angel says, "That is not righteous enough"
Now the man is beginning to show the first signs of deep agony. "Well, I have given to many charities, and I have used my talents to make a difference. Surely that is enough?"
The Angel says "Good for you, but that is still not righteous enough."
The man is sweating and on the verge of serious arguing, but he cant think of anything else that would sound righteous.
Finally he collapses at the feet of the Angel pleading, "Please allow me to throw myself on the grace and mercy of God."
The Angel, calmly replies, "His righteousness is enough. Welcome to the kingdom of God!"
Addendum -- Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast." (and that is no joke!)
A man dreams he is standing at the pearly gates where he is met by an Angel .
The Angel says, "It takes righteousness to enter the kingdom of God."
The man puffs up and says, "That should be no problem. I am a Christian, and a minister to Gods people, who has been faithfully married for 40 years, and I have been a good Father to our children."
The Angel says, "That is not righteous enough."
The man is troubled but unruffled and says, "I am an upstanding citizen in my community, a good neighbor and friend to all, and I have never missed a Sunday service."
The Angel says, "That is not righteous enough"
Now the man is beginning to show the first signs of deep agony. "Well, I have given to many charities, and I have used my talents to make a difference. Surely that is enough?"
The Angel says "Good for you, but that is still not righteous enough."
The man is sweating and on the verge of serious arguing, but he cant think of anything else that would sound righteous.
Finally he collapses at the feet of the Angel pleading, "Please allow me to throw myself on the grace and mercy of God."
The Angel, calmly replies, "His righteousness is enough. Welcome to the kingdom of God!"
Addendum -- Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast." (and that is no joke!)
