Words of Grace – Aug. 6, 2015

Many years ago, while traveling on a train, Pastor A.J. Gordon became engaged in a spirited conversation with a fellow passenger on the subject of faith. When Gordon said that it is by grace through faith that we get to heaven, and not by what we have done, the man disagreed.

“I differ with you,” the man argued, “that any person is admitted to heaven because of a little bit of theological scrip called faith. I believe that when God receives a person into heaven He makes a searching inquiry as to his character rather than an inspection of his faith.”

Just then the conductor came along and examined the tickets. After he had moved on, the pastor used the incident to prove his point about the necessity of faith.

“Have you ever noticed how a conductor always looks at the ticket but never takes the time to inspect the passenger?” he asked. “A railway ticket, if genuine, certifies that the person presenting it has complied with the company’s conditions and is entitled to the transportation.”

So then, it is by faith alone, as Pastor Gordon pointed out, and not our good works. “Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:9).