Everywhere we look today, we see people who think they are far better than what they really are. May I be so bold as to say that when each of us looks into the mirror in the morning, we are looking at a person we think is far better than we are? After all, Jesus made it very clear that an action is not necessary for a thought to be a sin! In other words, before we even set our hand to evil, the motivation, or the thought that preceded it is already sin. I know that I sin on a regular basis in my heart and mind, even though the sin might not manifest itself in my actions. I need help!
David asked this series of questions and gave this answer: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart: who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3-4). There is no person living on the earth right now that can enter into the presence of God with clean hands. What is sad is that mankind has realized that, and he has developed religion to ease the feelings of guilt. We need an accurate view of ourselves if we are ever to reach Heaven.
When David asked the question about who was able to ascend into Heaven, the thought must have seemed impossible to him. Having lived for fifty-eight years, I would agree that it has proven impossible for a person to live on this earth without sin. I have known some wonderful people, but none of them was perfect! I have known some people that greatly impacted my life, but close scrutiny revealed that each of them was a sinner, just like me. I entitled this devotional, “Nothing less than perfection,” because that is still the standard of God for a person to enter Heaven.
If everyone is a sinner, and no one has clean hands, what hope do any of us have of ever reaching Heaven? To copy one of my favorite hymns … “My hope is in the Lord, Who gave Himself for me, and paid the price of all my sin at Calvary!” My 100% hope for touching Heaven is in the saving blood sacrifice of Christ for my sin! The fact that He paid the price is amazing; but the reality that He then rose from the grave guarantees my salvation!
I am fully trusting the One and only Redeemer that will satisfy the righteous demand of God in Heaven! I am fully confident that I will one day stand before God clothed in His righteousness, not my own! I will stand complete in Him, not in me. I will be accepted because my redemption was paid in full by the perfect Lamb of God, and not because of my church membership! You see … God will accept nothing less than perfection!