Thanks Bryant,

The Gospel....plain and simple.

Wonderful start to my day!

So simply put that even a child could understand it. Thanks for this devotion, it is a blessing

I have a problem believing that God would condemn ALL those that don't accept Jesus. If you were brought up as a Jew/Hindu/Moslem etc. you would naturally follow the traditions of your ethnic group. It's not that you are rejecting Christ, it's just that you wouldn't even explore that avenue. It bothers me that good people like Gandi could be in hell!

Anne, the first Christians were either brought up as Jews or Gentiles. They found Jesus regardless their upbringing and people can still find Jesus regardless of their upbringing. Read about Paul and you will see that he had been brought up in the strictest Jewish sect, yet he became a Christian.

Anne, I was born into a Jewish family and excepted Christ in 1999. Paul's life is a wonderful one to read. When I was a little girl I thought you were either Jewish or Christian.
I never realized until I started to read my Bible that this was not the case. None of us are good enough. It that was the case Jesus would not have to of died for all of our sins. He is my everything!!!

Anne, I understand your concern for good people and the eternal consequences of sin. Even the most good people among us do sin although by human standards their sins may seem minor. But to our most Holy God sin is sin and it separates us from Him as the devotion states. No person on their own is ever good enough, can ever do enough good deeds, etc., to earn their way to heaven. It is very painful to think that some really good people may not be in heaven with God after they die their physical death. As Christians I believe we are to be concerned with the ones who are alive today and we are commanded to go tell the good news. We do not need to dwell on those who have already passed because we can do nothing for them but their outcome can help motivate us to want to help save others. I know I do not want to dwell on anything that distracts from God and His Word. Anyone who is a leader and leads people to neglect the Word of God, although being a good and kind person, has much sin to account for in leading people away from the one true God. I hope this makes some sense and does not alienate you from Christianity. Some things about keeping the faith are hard and you have brought up a difficulty many deal with. I consider it a God issue between Him and each individual at their time of judgement and I can't rightfully tell Him how He should judge even if I would save all people. The Bible does tell us that He wants all to be saved, (1 Timothy 2:1-6) "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time..." So our burden must be for people of today...people who need to know the truth. Only Jesus saves. God bless you as you struggle to accept all the features of His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Anne, You raise a question that many use to condemn "Christians and their God" as cruel and exclusive. I believe that it is an issue that goes beyond human understanding. Janice gave some good thoughts.
I would add that the Bible never says that only Christians go to Heaven. What Jesus says that HE is the way the truth and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through HIM. How do we know that Ghandi did not have a personal relationship with Jesus?

I certainly know a lot of Christians that claim to have a personal relationship, but who certainly raise questions as to the truth of their claim by their actions (fruit).

I believe that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, finds a way to touch every heart. In some way, he is either accepted or rejected. For billions of people, however, there is rejection, and therefore eternal seperation from God.

Remember that Jesus also said that the way was narrow. That many would come, but that few would be chosen. By his own words, Heaven will be pretty exclusive.

I don't pretend to have all the answers. I just thank God that he found me; a poor sinking sinner. And, I pray for all those I love to be found too.
Trust God.