DIY Salvation

Written by Rev. Nicholas Davelaar
Published in the Courier of Russellville, Arkansas

We are a nation of do-it-yourselfers, and we’re proud of it. We might not be able to do everything for ourselves, but that doesn’t mean we won’t try.

For instance, one time something went wrong with our electric oven. The range was still working, but the stove suddenly didn’t.

Did I call a repairman? No way! As the saying goes, fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Needless to say, my wife was pleasantly surprised when this fool not only avoided electrocution, but also got the job done. Unfortunately for her, she now has a husband who likes to think he can repair most anything.

For better or worse, I’m not the only one. We may differ on the projects we dare to undertake, but by and large we are all do-it-yourselfers.

This do-it-yourself tendency can be a good thing, but sometimes it isn’t. Most notably, it isn’t when it comes to our relationship with the holy God of heaven and earth.

I remember a conversation I once had with a young lady who attended our church once every two or three months. She had been in a serious car accident, but surprisingly walked away with only some minor back pain.

During the course of our conversation, I asked her what she believed would have happened to her if she had died. She responded as I suspect most people in the River Valley might: she said she would go to heaven.

I then asked her why. She matter-of-factly explained to me that she believed she was a good person and tried to do what was right.

Do you know what that is? Do-it-yourself salvation. The way of salvation according to a person who likes to think he or she can do anything, even earn God’s favor. The way of salvation according to a person who thinks a savior or mediator is unnecessary. Or, if necessary, only to get a person back on the right track from time to time.

The Bible presents a very different way of salvation.

Indeed, according to the Bible our do-it-yourself confidence and skills are irrelevant when it comes to our relationship with God. Ephesians 2 teaches that we are by nature dead in transgressions and sins, by nature children of wrath.

Thus the good news of the Bible is the proclamation of the coming of someone who is able to deliver us from our transgressions and sins and reconcile us to God. This someone is Jesus.

To all us do-it-yourself saviors, the declaration of God’s Word is that “there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

Are you trusting in him? Will you trust in him today?

Or are you determined to keep trying to do this yourself?

Think about that.

For further study, read Ephesians 2:1-10.