Ponder: The laws of physics and the word of God
Scripture: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast (Eph. 2:8-9, NKJV).
I’ve never worn cowboy boots, but I used to wear work boots. They had straps to help me stuff my size 14 feet into my boots! But suppose I needed to move from the floor to a higher location. Could I elevate myself by reaching down and pulling upward on my bootstraps as hard as possible? No, the laws of physics say that would be an exercise in futility! The downward force of my feet against the floor would be the same as the upward force of my fingers on the bootstraps. Even if I pulled so hard that the straps broke, I would still be standing on the floor.
The word of God teaches us that we cannot lift ourselves up to God by pulling up on our spiritual bootstraps (that is, by performing meritorious good works). Not even such a strikingly good man as Cornelius (see Acts 10) could work his way to salvation. He needed to hear words by which he and his household would be saved (Acts 11:14).
Innumerable people misunderstand salvation as depending on “who is better than whom?” They make comments like this: “If my (spouse, brother, sister, friend) doesn’t make it to Heaven then no one will because he/she was the best person I’ve ever known.” But hear the apostle Paul: “If righteousness (justification, a right relationship with God) comes through the Law, then Christ died in vain” (Gal. 2:21). Whether it’s the Mosaic Law or any other, meritorious works cannot save!
Let’s make it clear that gospel obedience isn’t pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. It’s surrender to God’s will and pleading for His grace.
Hymn: “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”
Prayer: Gracious God, we thank and praise You for our wonderful Savior. May we happily share His good news with others. In His name, Amen.
–Joe Slater
