GLEANINGS — August 25, A.D. 2013                                                                                                               "Ticket to Heaven?"

Some think of the Gospel as a fire insurance policy, guaranteeing that regardless of what kind of life one lives, he is A-OK so long as he has "accepted Christ." No matter what he does in this life, he can be certain that he will not burn in hell, but be received into everlasting glory and bliss when this life is done.
Though the metaphor is a bit homely, the Gospel surely IS a free ticket to heaven! It is God's free gift of forgiveness of sin, adoption into His family, and rebirth into an eternal life which is already abiding (John 17:3, 1 John 3:15) in those who will know its final fruition in the mansions above. 
But let's think a bit more about tickets. Here are a couple of analogies:
1. A man is given a free boarding pass. He embarks on a 747 jet and is seated. After take-off he enjoys looking out the window, wondering what is going on in the towns and countrysides over which he is flying. A sugar coated snack is served and shortly thereafter our traveller begins to doze. Visions of his final destination (Disneyworld) to which he has a free week long pass dance in his mind. The entire flight is uneventful; not even the slightest turbulence disturbs his peaceful nap. His plane lands, and he walks down the ramp with a smile.
2. Another man is given a free E-Z Pass account and transponder. All his tolls from Garden State Parkway interchange 117 to his final destination (Graceland North) are paid. He also receives free gasoline for his free car rental. Of course he doesn't fall asleep at the wheel, and he interacts with other drivers en route; some travelling with him, some going other ways on other roads. He steers, alternately accelerates and brakes, and maneuvers with skills learned from the driver's manual and from those who taught him, hands-on, how to operate an automobile. Finally, he parks for free and checks into his free hotel room.
The respective travellers both received gifts. The case of the driver better illustrates the real Christian life.
In that life of discipleship, the Law of God is the road. It is not that burden which both our spiritual ancestors and we cannot bear, of which the apostle Peter spoke to the concurring Jerusalem Council  (Acts 15). For Jesus has said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). The divine power, the strength of the Lord which fuels our "spiritual cars," is represented in our analogy by the free gasoline. 
We don't merely gaze out the window like kids in the backseat, daydreaming, but look through the windshield and to our mirrors with alertness, keeping to the road which includes signs providing further direction. We know that even our alertness and all the necessary physical and mental capacities to drive come from God. We use His appointed means of grace (the word of God, prayer, the fellowship of the saints) and freely receive grace upon grace to keep to the road. We do indeed KEEP to the road, but we fail to perfectly obey every traffic regulation and guideline. Sometimes we swerve into another lane, sometimes we are too pokey or exceed the speed limit, sometimes we "extend a yellow," sometimes we are careless or worse when it comes to the concerns of our fellow motorists. Some even appeal to isolated prooftexts and ignore context, or use texts as pretexts!
Perfectly following the road was accomplished only by our Forerunner (Hebrews 6:20) Who is not only the builder of the road but also its ultimate destination and the great Judge of all who journey. 
Every person saved by grace alone indeed has a "ticket to heaven." For some, like the criminal on the cross next to Christ's, the passage is more like that of the air traveller. But for most of us, it is a ticket valid only for travel along the one true road that leads to heaven, guided by God's Word into which the Holy Spirit gives us understanding, with God providing power and help all along, which are as free as the ticket itself.