A Paint Job

Count Basie, the bandleader, said to a night club owner, “I’m not returning until you have your piano tuned.”

Later the owner called Basie and said, “Everything is ready for you to return!”

After sitting at the piano and playing a few notes, Basie shouted, “It’s still out of tune!”

“But, I had it painted,” protested the owner.

There are many people who claim to be “Christians” but do not understand what that really means. They go to church, are honest and responsible, help the needy and even support good causes. But until they accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, they are not Christians.
Becoming a Christian means I have been saved by God’s grace not by my good works. We can do everything right on the outside, but God cares about what is on inside. John said that we must know the Son of God personally and believe sincerely that we can only be saved through the grace of God. Only then will we have the new life that comes through Christ. We can deceive ourselves and those around us, but not God. He knows what is in our hearts.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want that new life in Christ that John talks about. May I find salvation through Your Son, my Savior, and willingly share Him, Who is life eternal, with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 John 5:12