so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:7

Throughout the world people work hard to accomplish great things in their own lives or those around them. As they work hard, they hope that they will succeed or make a difference.

All their hope is found in their own abilities and what they have done, and is being compared with what others have done. Often there is a lot of insecurity and fear of not being able to succeed or make the difference desired. There is no solid hope to hold on to.

As Paul talks about salvation, he points out that people are justified by God’s grace so that they can have the assurance of eternal life.

People like to know that what they did was good and good for something. They want to be able to earn what they receive. As a result of this desire, people will try to justify all of their actions as good and worthwhile. The world will justify sin in the name of freedom.

Believers will often try to justify their salvation by what they have done. Some will point out all the good things that they have done, how they read their bible and go to church, then claim that they are clean before God and deserve heaven.

Once a person sins, he has an eternal death sentence upon his head that nothing he can do will remove. Doing all the good things in the world and living perfectly does not remove the judgement against sin.

It is only by the grace of God that any person can have that judgement removed. It is putting trust and hope in the work of Jesus Christ that saves and gives the assurance of eternal life to come.

Your life is no different than that of any other person that has lived upon this earth. You are or were a sinner who did not know God, nor Jesus Christ. All the good things that you were doing fell short of getting you into heaven.

God in His great mercy and grace sent Jesus to pay for your sins. If you have chosen to repent and believe in what Jesus did, you will be justified before God from all your sins and given the hope of eternal life. This hope is assurance that it will happen, but not by your works, but by God’s grace.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will not work for your salvation, but trust in the work of Jesus Christ; that you will know you have eternal life in Jesus; and that you will live your life believing in and following God.