Subscription Lists

We know better. We truly do. We know Jesus is the only way to be saved (John 14:6). We know "there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) We know we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) and that any other gospel is a false one (Galatians 1:6-9). We know all this. And still ... we walk into walls all the time.

We think that good works will save. Oh, most of us don't run afoul of that too often. Still, we tend to think that if we're good we ought to get rewarded for it and if we're bad ... funny thing ... we shouldn't see any negative outcome because, hey, we're one of the King's kids, right? But we know it doesn't work that way (Hebrews 12:5-11). Some think that homeschooling will do it. Keep our kids out of the bad influences of the world and, bingo! They'll be saved. As if that's a new gospel. As if that's a magic pill. But it isn't.

When we stray from "Christ alone", we generally stray to a cocktail, a mixture of means to the end. If we can give our kids the gospel when they're young and we can raise them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4), if we can train them up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6), if we can take them to church ... every Sunday and to youth groups and to camps, then we can insure they will be saved, right? Right?

You know it doesn't work that way. You know that. You know that humans are, by nature, hostile to God (Romans 8:7). You know that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). You know that "the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth." (Genesis 8:21) Didn't Jesus tell us, "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)? Hear that? The gate we want is narrow and small and fewfind it. We know this.

So, we do what we can. We obey where we can. And we fail. For a variety of reasons we cannot guarantee the eternal condition of our progeny, our loved ones, our friends and family. So placing our faith in works or homeschooling or proper upbringing or church is a false gospel. So what are we left with? We have to trust Jesus to save us and we have to trust the Father to do what's best for those about whom we care the most. Frankly, that can seem a bit ... shaky. We can do our best and still not have the outcome we hope for? Yes, indeed. So you have to ask yourself: Is that okay with you? Is whatever God does okay with you? Or do you have a better idea? It's something you'll have to answer for yourself. We do our best, we obey as far as we can, we do all we know to do. Is God's outcome okay with you? Is He good enough? That's the real question.

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Storms Of Life