As we gather together this Lord’s Day morning to worship God in spirit and truth, I’m grateful for each one of you here. Our commitment to studying God’s word, including our focus on the life of Christ in our upcoming gatherings, enriches our understanding and application of His teachings in our lives. Today, I want to explore a profound thought with you. How many of us are aiming for heaven? It’s a goal we all share, which brings us together in worship.
In preparing for today’s sermon, I came across passages that prompted an intriguing realization. What if I told you that the cross of Jesus Christ alone isn’t enough to grant us entrance to heaven? This might initially sound controversial, but the truth is, while we’re saved by grace through faith, there’s more required from us. The cross of Jesus is crucial, but it’s not the whole story.
In Titus 2, we find that the grace of God for salvation has appeared to all men. However, Jesus, in Matthew 7, speaks of two paths: the narrow gate leading to life and the wide gate leading to destruction. This signifies that merely recognizing Christ’s sacrifice isn’t enough. We must actively choose the path of righteousness, which is often more challenging.
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5 remind us that Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient to atone for sin, but it also calls for our active participation in righteousness. We must bear our own cross, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 16. Following Christ involves denying ourselves and taking up our own cross, an emblem of the sacrifices and commitments we must make in our faith journey.
It’s crucial to ask ourselves: Are we truly bearing our cross? Are our actions reflective of Christ’s teachings? As Jesus warns in Matthew 7, not everyone who acknowledges Him will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. This requires work and dedication to living out our faith.
Paul further explains in Ephesians 2 that we are saved by grace through faith, but this is accompanied by a call to good works, which God prepared for us to walk in. We are reminded to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, as God works in us for His good pleasure.
James reinforces this concept, stating that faith without works is dead. Our justification comes through our deeds, an essential aspect of our faith journey. This morning, I urge you to reflect on your path. Are you doing what’s necessary to inherit eternal life with Jesus Christ?
As we contemplate this, remember, there are two crosses necessary for salvation: Christ’s and our own. If you’re not yet a child of God, consider taking the steps towards faith – hearing the Gospel, believing, repenting, confessing Jesus as Lord, and being baptized. And for those on this journey, remember, we must continuously strive and seek forgiveness when we fall short. Let’s carry our crosses with commitment as we sing our song of invitation.
