A few weeks ago, I was explaining salvation to my first grader. He was struggling with the idea of sin and how Jesus’ mercy and love can still overcome even in death. I explained that only pride can truly hold us back from Heaven.
“When you die” I said, “Jesus will ask you one simple of question: ‘Do you love me?’”
“All you have to do is say ‘Yes.’”
While it is true that Jesus saved us once and for all when He died on Calvary, He continues to save us every day when we ask Him for forgiveness. After all, each time we sin, we are rejecting His salvation and saying ‘no’ to His sacrifice. Since we have free will, we must tell Him we love Him, and we again accept His mercy.
Our sins can be categorized conveniently under a list that’s been around for a very long time: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride.
It is very helpful to analyze the seven deadly sins and see the main ones we tend to veer toward. When we know what we need to avoid, it’s easier to ask for Christ’s help and practice the virtues that counter the sins.
But pride is a sin that most of us will always deal with. It’s okay to place value on ourselves but we are not to let it overshadow our walk with Jesus or hold us back from thinking we can do life without God’s help. We must never become so proud we decide Jesus can’t or won’t forgive a sin. Or that we just aren’t good enough to go to Heaven.
Basically, we can’t assume to know God’s plan.
Later that same day, I heard Becket tell his sister: “Ainsley, whatever happens when you die, when Jesus asks if you love Him, say yes! To get to Heaven, you have to say ‘Yes’! Don’t forget: just say yes!”
I realized his takeaway was too simple: just remember the right answer to pass the test. I was about to go in and explain further when I realized the Holy Spirit was working. “Just say yes” is a perfect motto for following God’s will to get to Heaven. Don’t let any other words of doubt creep into your head when
He asks: “Do you love me?” Just say yes.
During Lent we spend so much time and energy saying “no”. . .we also need to practice “yes.”
