The Cost of Salvation

   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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10, New King James Version)

Yesterday, I went down to visit my son, and on the way home, I drove through the town of Portage. It’s a historic village with roots dating back to the seventeen hundreds. Every time I drive through it (which isn’t often), I want to stop and spend hours wandering its streets, appreciating all the old buildings.  

This weekend, though, I only stopped to admire one building – St Mary’s Church. Built in 1856, the entire structure is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation which began in June. I think that is fantastic, saving a historic church and bringing it back to life while making it more accessible to parishioners and others.  

But, the thing to remember is that even though it is a house of worship, it is just a building. As beautiful as that steeple is, it can’t reach all the way to heaven.

The only way to get to heaven is through faith in God and belief that His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior. And that doesn’t cost a thing.

 Article on the church’s renovation – https://www.wiscnews.com/portagedailyregister/news/local/scaffolding-envelops-portage-landmark-as-st-mary-renovations-continue/article_63916318-9817-5bda-81c1-2277ccaf3a08.html