Sometimes the facts surprise us.  For instance, did you know that there is actually more gold in the earth than silver?  That’s surprising isn’t it?  Do you think the typical people on the street would believe you if you told them there is more gold in the earth than silver?  Don’t you think they would argue with you?  They might say that gold is worth $1347.50 per troy ounce while silver is worth only $ 20.00 per troy ounce.  Then they might counter, “How then is it possible that there is more gold in the earth than silver?”

  Well, scientists who study such things tell us that oxygen, followed by magnesium, silicon, and iron are the most abundant elements in the earth.  Furthermore, they tell us that the concentration of gold in the earth is about 0.16 parts per million.  Now that doesn’t sound like much but when you think about the fact that the earth weighs  5,972,000,000,000,000,000,000 metric tons, it means the earth contains about 955 trillion metric tons of gold.  The amount of silver on the other hand is only 0.05 parts per million or about 298 trillion metric tons.  So I guess you could say we are sitting on a gold mine.  That’s surprising isn’t it?

  Now, suppose you ask someone on the street, “What do you need to do to receive eternal life and a home in heaven?”  How do you think he or she would respond?  That person would probably reply, “Love God and live a good life.”  Most folks seem to think that heaven is for good people who do good works.  But the Bible says something surprising.

  The Bible says in Romans 3:12 (NASB95) , “THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”

  The Bible says in Galatians 2:16 (NASB95) , “ ... by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.”

  Isaiah the prophet said, “ ... all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away” Isaiah 64:6 (NASB95).

  The Bible says that our “good works” will not save us; they are, in fact, not even good. 

  Here’s where the surprise comes.  Our salvation is not based on what we do, but on what Christ has already done. 

  Listen to what Paul says in Romans 3:23-27 according to the New Living Translation, “ ... everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for He himself is fair and just, and He declares sinners to be right in His sight when they believe in Jesus.”

  “Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith.”

  The Bible goes on to say, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast”  Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB95).

  Surprising grace, no wonder it is called, “Amazing!”   We are sitting on a gold min e of God’s incredible love.