Kilpatrick Baptist Association

The Best and Worst News

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“God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

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Here’s a sentence – one sentence – that is at once both the best and worst news you’ve ever heard. Heaven is a perfect place!! To know there is a place free from sin and the horrible consequences of sin and full of the presence of our perfect God and all the benefits that flow from Him is truly the best news. In fact, there is only perfection in heaven – perfect beauty, perfect goodness – because if there was anything in heave less than perfect, heaven would cease to be heaven.

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Suddenly, then, that just became the worst news I’ve ever heard – for one simple reason: I’m not perfect. Never have been. Many works in my life have been awful, and the works some might consider good are far from perfect goodness of God. So if there is only perfection in heaven, clearly, I won’t be there – neither will anyone ever born of man and woman. The worst news ever!

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Now, here’s the good news: our passage today tells us that being saved is not based on our works but by grace through faith in the perfect good work of Jesus on the cross! If I could be good enough to earn heaven, I could brag (and would) about me. But, instead, I want the good works that flow from my changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17), to boast of Him who works through me. Lord, today may I stop trying to earn what you willingly give by grace! Amen!

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Chris Johns, Mill Creek BC