In 2000 I traveled overseas with several tradesmen to work on a Bible study center in Surduc, Romania. Dameron Plumbing sent several of their workers and we made good progress on the five-story building. It had conference rooms, dining commons, kitchen, and hotel-like rooms for couples to stay in while at the conferences. One of the plumbers was a tough character. He was a great worker, but he had a hard background. David had been a heavy drinker but was proud of his recovery. One evening I spoke with David for an hour about his need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. David said he was OK with God. He thought that God was pleased with him overcoming his addiction. I said, “David, I am proud of you in your victory over booze.” David smiled. Then I went on, “But now you have 1,500 other sins to overcome.” David’s expression fell. I continued, “David, it isn’t you overcoming your sin problem, it’s you turning your sin problem over to Jesus. It’s repenting of your sin and surrendering to Jesus Christ. Let Him do the work. Hey, He’s already done the work on the cross of Calvary!” Paul said in I Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” You can never work hard enough to get into heaven. Hey, the cross of Jesus Christ is where the power is. Don’t trust in your own good works. Trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
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