A Stairway To Heaven

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

I've been feeling nostalgic over the past several days and the songs on my iDevices have been from the days of my youth. One that has resonated of late is the Led Zeppelin classic Stairway to Heaven.  For those who want the full, uncut & unadulterated version, you can find a 10 minute video version here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugxFcmZXDyc. For those that want to see the shorter "Heart" cover of the song at the 2012 Kennedy Center honors go here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_D3SNdLfwk.  Regardless of your choice, the song has (for me) very meaningful lyrics and inspiring sound. It is a song that defined an age and rings true in the hearts of many who are of my generation. Okay, to be fair, it is old fogey music to most of the people walking the face of the earth today. But for my age group, it is simply awe inspiring music!

In the opening lyrics of Stairway To Heaven we are introduced to the story of a "lady who's sure all that glitters is gold and she's buying a stairway to heaven." The story of this lady is the same as many in our society today. There is a perception that one can buy their way into heaven. The avenue followed of living the life one chooses without regards to consequence but donating money to charity will earn the key to open the pearly gates is one way followed. Another way chosen is to live a life going around doing good deeds and completing a series of good works. There is some points system involved I guess? If you donate enough or do enough then you win! Sadly this misses the mark and falls short of the truth we know in Jesus Christ.  If either or both of these roads were correct, then the sacrifice on the cross of Jesus Christ would all be for naught. The question has to be asked, why would God send His only begotten Son to die such a horrible and humiliating death of a cross if it were not to complete all that was needed to save mankind from itself?  There is no more to remember for you and I dear reader than the words captured in John 19:30 of Christ on the cross "it is finished." We cannot not earn our way to salvation. The door to heaven has but one key and that key is faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2: 8&9 spells it out so clearly for all to see and grasp onto. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. We are saved, we do not have to earn or buy our "Stairway To Heaven."

PRAYER: Lord God Heavenly Father, our world is wrapped up in things that glitter. Our world is lost in trying to earn something that You have already given. Your grace is enough. In our weakness, You are strong. Help us Father to share that good news with those that are lost living for this world. Open our hearts and eyes to see the need. Open the hearts and ears of the lost that they might find salvation in Your grace. These things we ask in the strong name of Jesus who with the Father and Spirit are One God now and forever, Amen.