by Rev Steve Nickodemus

No climbing up!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9

When I looked at this picture of our house during its construction, I was struck by the amazing number of ladders used to build it.  Having climbed up and down many of those ladders, I can testify to the hard work that goes into building up a house.

Ladders are a great thing for construction of buildings.  With them, you can climb up higher and higher, adding lumber, siding, gutters, roofing, and on and on.

When you and I want to reach God, ladders are useless.  Especially the ladder of your own good works, as you vainly try to climb your way up to heaven.  It is easy for me to think that way, that if I can accomplish a few more good deeds, break a few more habits, give a little more to the church, maybe, just maybe, it will get me closer to God.

However, such “climbing” does nothing to accomplish righteousness with God or draw me closer to Him.  It was when I admitted my helplessness, and confessed my sin, that the Lord could come down to me and draw me to Himself.  Although winning my own way may appeal to me, it is not the way of salvation.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
Psalm 51:17

The free gift of God in Christ Jesus has reached down to me, a sinner.  He has rescued me and brought me to Himself.  Praise God for the end of ladders and for the Lord’s infinite grace!

Thank you for Your free gift of salvation, Lord.  Please forgive me for trying to climb up to You.  I praise You that You have come to me in the Lord Jesus. Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado