I remember with fondness the time I spent with the Boy Scouts. The emphasis on camping, hiking, and surviving in the woods was so much fun. The skills I learned also helped me in life. Part of the incentives in the program was the possibility of earning merit badges. These small patches could be sewed on a sash. They displayed the proficiency of the wearer in certain areas. I remember earning 11 merit badges in things like canoeing, bird study, first aid, reading, camping and a few others. You could work your way up through the ranks and achieve recognition by earning more merit badges.
Merit badges are part of the way you can work your way up in the Scouts. However, when it comes to our relationship with God, it doesn’t work that way. I realize that many people have the mistaken idea that they can work their way into God’s favor. If they would just go to church enough, give to charitable causes, help in disaster relief, read their Bible faithfully, and pray they will be accepted by God. The Bible tells us very plainly that these spiritual merit badges will not help earn our way into heaven. We are told that no amount of good works can erase our debt of sin. Eph. 2:8,9 tells us: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”. Jesus died on the cross as payment for our sin. His blood paid the full price for our salvation. Rom. 10:9,10,13 explains: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved”.
Acceptance by God and eternal life in heaven does not come by our merit, but by His mercy. However, once we accept Christ, we are challenged to live for Him passionately and serve Him faithfully.
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