30th July 2025

Self-reliance

You are of purer eyes than to behold evil,

and cannot look on wickedness . . .

Habakkuk 1:13

Today's Bible Reading: Romans 10:17-21.

It may shock you, but you will never be good enough to go to heaven on your own. If we depend on our own goodness to get us to heaven, then we are doomed, because we can never be good enough.

Let me explain. One of my favourite definitions of heaven is that it is the place where God is. In other words, in heaven we will be in God’s presence forever, free from all worries, fears, illness, ill-health and evil. The problem, however, is that God is absolutely holy and perfect, and even one sin — just one — would be enough to keep us from His presence. In Habakkuk 1:13, the Bible says of God, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.” Even the best person who has ever lived will not be able to stand before God, because His standard is perfection.

But there is one exception, and that is Jesus Christ. He alone was without sin, for He was fully God (as well as fully man). But on the cross all our sins were transferred to Him, and He took upon Himself the judgment we deserve. Now He offers us salvation as a free gift; free, because He has already paid for it.

Now today, by a simple act of faith, turn to the Lord Jesus and trust Him alone for your salvation. Do not trust yourself;or your good works; trust Christ! Then thank God every day that you now belong to Him and someday you will go to be with Him forever; And what a wonderful day that will be.

Prayer: Father God, How wonderful it is, that I am not saved by corruptible things, like silver or gold, and neither do I have to depend on my own good works, but rather, I am saved by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. I praise You, in His name. Amen.