Duct Tape or Nails!

This story was shared with me. It was entitled, Duct Tape or Nails.

A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter says, 'Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in.' 'Okay," the man says, 'I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart' 'That's wonderful,' says St.Peter , 'that's worth three points!""Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service." "Terrific!" says St.Peter . "That's certainly worth a point.""One point!?!!" "I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans." "Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says. "Two points!?!! "Exasperated, the man cries. "At this rate the only way I'll get into heaven is by the grace of God" "Bingo, 100 points! Come on in!" We often try to fix problems with WD-40 and duct tape. God did it with nails. "

This story is a variation of one that has been passed around for awhile. As good of a goal as it is to stress the grace of God and the death of Christ, this story has one major flaw. We contribute nothing toward our salvation. It is not as if we contribute a small portion toward salvation and God contributes the rest. We are dead in trespasses and sins and God raises us up, breathes life into us, gives us faith, and brings us to heaven when it is time. We do nothing. That is the grace of God.

What God Ordains Is Always Good!

Hymn 521, TLH

1. What God ordains is always good; His will abideth holy, as He directs my life for me, I follow meek and lowly. My God indeed in every need doth well know how to shield me; to Him, then, I will yield me.

2. What God ordains is always good. He never will deceive me; He leads me in His own right way, and never will He leave me. I take content what He hath sent; His hand that sends me sadness will turn my tears to gladness.

3. What God ordains is always good. His loving thought attends me; No poison can be in the cup that my Physician sends me. My God is true; each morn anew I'll trust His grace unending, my life to Him commending.

4. What God ordains is always good. He is my Friend and Father; He suffers naught to do me harm, though many storms may gather. Now I may know both joy and woe, some day I shall see clearly that He hath loved me dearly.

5. What God ordains is always good. Though I the cup am drinking which savors now of bitterness, I take it without shrinking. For after grief God grants relief, my heart with comfort filling and all my sorrow stilling.

6. What God ordains is always good. This truth remains unshaken. Though sorrow, need or death be mine, I shall not be forsaken. I fear no harm, for with His arm He shall embrace and shield me; so to my God I yield me.

AMEN!