Scripture for Today: John 6:29 “Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.'”

Looking at this beautifully groomed poodle reminds me of the Westminister Dog Show we just viewed on television.  Hours were spent in meticulous grooming to ready the participants for the competition.  It is obvious that this dog’s hair does not grow this way naturally.  It is safe to assume that scissors and razor were used to shape the dog’s coat.  Occam’s Razor is the name of the philosophy that says that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.

God made salvation incredibly simple to grasp.  What is it about salvation through grace that escapes us?  Why do we want to add our own feeble efforts?  Jesus answers the question about works in today’s verse.  There is only one “work” that saves; believing in Jesus as God.  The tendency is to complicate what God made simple.  We are not saved because of any righteous works we can do (Eph. 2:8-9).  Our salvation comes from throwing ourselves on His unmerited favor, recognizing that there is nothing good in us that can earn it.  The more we feel we contribute to acquiring salvation, the more we take away from His all-sufficient sacrifice for us.  It is all a gift, even the faith to believe.

Knowing this takes away any reason for me to boast or to be prideful.  There is no sense of being better than anyone else.  My abject need of His grace to forgive makes the ground completely level in front of the cross.  It is so simple but so incredibly profound; “believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

Thank you Lord, for making it simple.  It is all Your work, not mine.