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When I worked at the hardware store, one of my jobs was to cut keys. People would arrive with a variety of keys and ask me to make duplicates for them.
Duplicating a key required three steps:
- Finding the right key blank to match the original. If the length, width, or grooves were off, the new key would not work.
- Placing the blank key tightly in the vise. If the blank were a bit wobbly as the grinder passed over it, the new key would not be an exact match and would not open the lock.
- Examining the new key and carefully polishing and filing down rough edges, no matter how small, or the key would not fit the lock.
The Scriptures tell us that sin is what locks the door to heaven:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24 NIV)
There was a time when I was somewhat puzzled about this sin business. I viewed sin as something really terrible, the type of deeds that I certainly didn't do. I knew that I wasn't perfect, but who was? All in all, I was a pretty decent person, helping others and trying to do what was right.
But then, through the Scriptures, I came to realize that any word or action that I spoke or committed that was not perfect, that was in any way hurtful to God, myself, or others, was sin. In God's sight, sin is sin, no matter how large or small, and it separates us from Him. It condemns us until it is confessed and forgiven through the power of Jesus and His work on the cross, which is the key that opens the lock on the door to heaven.
Although the duplicating of keys was quite simple and took a very short amount of time, the steps required were mandatory if the key were to open the intended lock.
Likewise, the key to heaven is obtained and works only as we follow the necessary steps:
- Recognizing our sin, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
- Confessing our sin with true sorrow.
- Embracing by faith Jesus Christ and His work on the cross, inviting Him into our lives.
Inviting Jesus into our lives brings forgiveness and cleansing of all our wrongdoings and grants us the key to the door of heaven and an eternal relationship with God.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You have not permanently locked and barred the door of heaven due to our sin, but have thrown it wide open for all those who embrace by faith Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. May many choose today to obtain the key of heaven and eternal life through belief in Jesus, in Whose name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright © 2022, by Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@PROTECTED>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Atlin, British Columbia, Canada
Reprinted from PresbyCan with author's permission
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