© 2013 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

“The harder I work the behinder I get!” I’ve heard many folks express this frustration as they exhaust themselves with life’s endless tasks.

Many things tire us: Tending large families of young children, chasing cattle that jump fences, earning money to pay the rent, and a multitude of other never-ending tasks. Perhaps the most tiring endeavor of all, however, is man’s life-long pursuit to earn God’s favor. Most of the world’s religions claim to offer salvation in exchange for never ending dedication to their works of penance.

Most people never find relief from what proves to be a losing battle. New Year’s resolutions are broken within hours, selfish instincts rear their ugly heads at the most inappropriate moments, and those evil thoughts we despise, suggest themselves to our minds through every cunning communication media known to man.

The Bible describes this predicament of fallen man. “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt (Isaiah 57:20).” Man has devised evil religious systems to capitalize on man’s inability to control his own evil. These systems offer forgiveness in exchange for money, service, or obedience. Their coffers are full of gold and silver fleeced from men seeking to buy salvation even though God says we can’t be “redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold (1 Peter 1:18).”

But there’s good news! God has provided a costly salvation free of charge! Jesus Christ paid it all. He sacrificed his own blood on Calvary’s cross to pay the penalty for sin. Salvation cannot be earned by the works of man. God’s Holy Word declares this. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).”

Christ Himself issued the following invitation to all mankind: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).”

Are you tired? Do you need rest from your futile attempts to earn salvation? Then stop trying to buy salvation from man’s religious systems. Rather, call out directly to God the Son — Christ Jesus, the Lord! He says, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37).”

 

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