Ephesians 2:8-9

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”

I’m not sure how “The Big Lie” got started, but it has infiltrated most homes, heads, and hearts in America. For some reason, the majority of our fellow citizens actually believe they can work their way into heaven.

Ask anyone on the street or at work if they are going to heaven when they die and most of them will say something like, “I sure hope so” or “I think so.” Ask them “why” and The Big Lie will show up: “I’m a pretty good person” or perhaps “I try to live a good, moral life.” God does not grade on a curve, and our attempts to “live a good life” are like filthy rags when compared to God’s holiness (Is 64:6).  Salvation is on the top shelf and there is NOTHING you can do to reach it.

So what’s the solution? Ephesians 2:8-9

Faith in Christ and Christ alone is the only way to overcome the gulf of sin that separates you from your Creator. It’s a bridge that only Jesus can build, and He built it with an old wooden cross. Have you bought The Big Lie? Do you think you are Heaven-bound because you are a pretty good person? You’ll never be good enough because you’ll never be perfect, and perfection is what is required. Forget your “good works” and embrace Christ’s Perfect Work.  Stop “hoping so” and begin living, “I know so.”