In the past few years I’ve talked to many people who have a kind of belief in God, but not really any sort of relationship with Him.

Most of the time when I say that it is possible to have a close, personal relationship with God, I’ll get an answer something like this:

“Well, ultimately I’d like to get right with God, but first I have to work on myself so God will accept me.”

I know someone who’s been saying this for the past 35 years. And he’s no closer to being acceptable. He hasn’t changed a bit. I’d like to ask him, “Is it working for you?”

How sad that so many cling to this, “I’ll work on myself a bit,” way of thinking.

I guess it’s pride. We really want to believe that our own effort will make us better people, and that God will give us an “A” for effort.

It doesn’t work that way.

Now Abraham, way back in the book of Genesis was a pretty good man. He obeyed God, worshiped God. He was good to his family, listened to his wife, even supported his nephew for a long time.

But none of these good acts made Abraham righteous in God’s eyes.

Here’s the secret to righteousness:

Believe God. Hebrews 11:6 states: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

That’s it. So simple that we scoff at the very idea. Believe? That’s it?

That’s all I gotta do?

Can’t be.

But yes, Genesis states, “Abram (Abraham) believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.

And God has not changed His method in all these 35 hundred years since Abraham.

If He had changed, Jesus Christ would not have had to be born as the Savior.

What a wasted death His would have been if there were any other way to get right with God.

It is that simple.

But so difficult. Because we don’t want to accept that we can’t do it on our own.

Put that pride aside. Pray to Jesus Christ. Say, “I give up, Lord. I can’t make it to heaven based on anything I do. I believe you died in my place, purchased my pardon for all my sins. Please come live within me and be my God.”

That’s it. So simple. Do it today!

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31)

“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked “Sirs, what I do to be saved.” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts. 16:20-31 NIV Bible)