But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!  As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! (Galatians 1:8-9)

There are very few things for which the Bible advocates eternal condemnation.

This would be one of them.

That ought to give us a clue into just how seriously the Lord takes his plan of salvation.  Think about it.  He paid the highest possible price for you.  Why would he tolerate anybody trying to change the terms?  It’s like agreeing to purchase a home for several million dollars, and then having the agent tack an extra nickel onto the price. 

Actually, it’s not like that at all, but I think you can see where I’m going.  

How could anything we do add anything significant to what God has already done?  The Lord of the Universe gave his Son for you, and you’re going to…what…give a homeless person a sandwich and call yourself an equal partner?  I think not.

Beloved, we should do good things.  But they should come as a result of the great love that we have already received, not with the expectation that we are somehow wooing and winning God’s favor.  If anybody tries to tell you otherwise, you should make like a bakery truck and haul buns.

Please don’t tell my wife or my daughter about that last line.  They’ll disown me.  

Happy Thursday, Beloved