For many people, the only way to get into heaven is work hard and be good. There are many religions for whom that’s the way. For some, it’s knocking on doors. For others it involves serving your time as a missionary. Still others work hard at keeping the letter of the law. Perhaps the most extreme method involves taking you own life in an act of murder against those who are not members of your religion.
The discovery of the truth in the Reformation: the Good News of what God has done for us in Jesus, and to have faith in Jesus is the only way! The Word today tells us plainly: God accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ.
The good things we do for God do not in any way earn us a place in heaven. Instead, they are the ways we express our faith, our thanks, and our praise for what the Lord has done in us.
These good and Godly people we remember today believed the truth of the Gospel. That truth has set them free – free from fear and sorrow, from pain and tears. They are free to live and love in the Kingdom of God.
But there’s more: we who believe are free, free to live and love in God’s kingdom. We do not need to be afraid. We may still experience sorrow, pain and tears in this life, but we have ultimate freedom. Even though we still contend with sin, we are forgiven and fully assured or our place in the Kingdom of God.