John 14:1-8

Devotional

The Bible says, “God has placed Eternity in our hearts.” Down deep in our hearts we know that we have significance that reaches beyond time and space. And we long for home.  Where is that home?  Jesus said,  

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know."  John 14:1-4 NKJV

Jesus is the way.  Grace is the only ticket that grants entry into Heaven.  Isaac Watts sings, “Through many dangers, toils and snares we have already come.  Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.”  Grace is extended to those who accept God’s gift.

Back in 1830 George Wilson was convicted of robbing the U.S. Mail and was sentenced to be hanged. President Andrew Jackson issued a pardon for Wilson, but he refused to accept it. The matter went to Chief Justice Marshall, who concluded that Wilson would have to be executed. "A pardon is a slip of paper," wrote Marshall, "the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged."  2,000 years ago; God the Son, Jesus the Christ, issued a pardon.  But, just like in the case of George Wilson, the value of the pardon is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon.

God has issued a pardon in the Name of His Son.  We are under a sentence of death.  “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is Eternal life.”  We are in need of grace.

It is human to believe that we must do something to merit salvation and qualify for entrance into Heaven.  We may do good works, and indeed we ought to, but they do not qualify us for eternal life.  You do not need to do what God has already done.

On the night of May 26, 1996, a great tragedy occurred in Houston, Texas. Cora Lee Taylor, her husband, and their two grandchildren were awakened by fire. In panic, they fled the burning house. All four of them escaped safely, but the fifty-eight-year-old grandmother didn’t see that her husband had rescued both grandchildren. Without thought or inquiry, Mrs. Taylor ran back into the flames to rescue the grandchild she believed was still in the house. Tragically, Cora Lee Taylor died searching for the child that had already been rescued.

Likewise, if we try to do what Jesus has already, done, we will lose our lives. By faith accept God’s forgiveness.  His grace is your passport to Heaven.

Prayer

 

Pastors Gary and Eva Winsor are ministers with The Pentecostal Assemblies of Nfld. Gary and Eva have ministered as Youth Pastors, Missionaries in Taiwan, Pastoral Care Counselors and are currently pastoring Bethesda Penetecostal Church, St. John's, Nfld.  They have four children:  Christina, Robert, Lynette and Danielle. You may visit thier web site at: www.bethesda.nf.ca