From the archives of Oral Roberts
The story is told about a man who went to Heaven one day. There, he was met at the pearly gates by Saint Peter, who said, “It takes 1,000 points for you to get to Heaven. Tell me what you have done in your life so we can see if you have enough points to get in.”
The man said, “Well, I attended church every Sunday unless I was sick . . . and I sang in the Choir.”
Saint Peter said, “That will be 50 points.”
“I gave generously every time the offering plate was passed,” the man added quickly.
“That’s another 25 points” said Saint Peter.
The man was beginning to feel a little nervous since he was about out of good deeds to report. He said, “I taught a Sunday school class for a few years.”
“That’s another 25 points” said Saint Peter.
By this time the man was feeling frantic. He had only 100 points and nothing else to report. He cried, “At this rate the only way I’m going to get to Heaven is by the grace of God!”
Saint Peter smiled and said, “That’s 900 points! Come on in!”
Salvation is a free gift from God to everyone who will accept it. The Apostle Paul wrote this to the Ephesians, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
There’s nothing you can do today to earn salvation. You can, however, choose to accept God’s free gift of salvation and receive by grace, His Son, Jesus Christ.
