Forgive me, Lord, for holding a cheap view of heaven. I have rejoiced indeed that Jesus died to make a place for me there, but Your Word keeps hammering into my head the difference between having a right to heaven and being made suitable for it.
Isn’t that what Paul means: Christ … loved the church and gave Himself up for her—that is the right—that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing (Ephesians 5:25–27)—that is the fitness.
It is one thing to arrive in heaven by the skin of my teeth, but how much better to arrive there applauded! The right is what Jesus Christ has done for me; the fitness is what He has done in me. Simple faith in Him (how easy it is!) assures me of a place in heaven; but only ruggedly following Him (how difficult!) assures me of an abundant entrance (2 Peter 1:11).
I confess, Lord, that I have been one of those who have cheapened Your grace. I have led many to believe that the ease of accepting Christ as Savior also applies to the lived-out Christian life. God’s grace is not softness, as witnessed by Calvary’s wounds. God’s grace is simply permission, not qualification. It merely opens the door to God’s great school of training and discipline; it does not promise to carry us to the skies on flowery beds of ease.
Thank You, God, for Your grace! Without it we earthlings would be endlessly, hopelessly lost. But, Lord, may we never throw Your grace to the pigs by assuming that the ticket to enter is the graduation diploma!
For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne shall spread His tabernacle over them (Revelation 7:15).
Daily with the King 