I live in a country notorious for pay offs. Somebody gets caught red handed, passes the officer a bribe and walks away. I have personally been expected to drop some cash into a drawer being opened just for that purpose…it doesn’t usually have to be much, as long as it’s something. What do you do? You toss in some rupees and get the job done, or you risk a never ending process.
Contrast the whole bribe scenario with the whole works mentality…
Joe sinner knows he’s a sinner, and thinks his “good works” will earn him a seat in heaven. As if the great judge of the universe will accept his bribe and turn His cheek to all of the other broken laws. I don’t think so. You can’t bribe God.
This is often times the illustration I try to draw up when talking with someone who thinks they can “earn their way” to heaven. At the end, they’re faced with this reality: You will stand before God one day, and you will give an account for your life. You will be judged in perfect justice, and everything God considers to be sin must be punished…otherwise, God would be unjust. Now, you have two options…pay for your sin and accept the penalty yourself, which is eternal separation from God in a place called hell. Or accept God’s payment for you sin by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross.
At the very least…it sure makes ‘em think. I was ble to use the “bribe scenario” one on my way home from Bagdogra yesterday…I had a great time there with about 30 laborers of the gospel that we’ve helped train – guys and gals that we’re networked with in this region.
God Bless!!!
Mike
great illustration!
pk