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For it is by grace you have been saved,"); document.writeln("through faith\'�”and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God\'�” not by"); document.writeln("works, so that no one can boast.¹

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Ebenezer"); document.writeln("Wooten had just concluded a preaching service. As the crowd dispersed, he was"); document.writeln("approached by a young man who asked, \"Mr. Wooten, what must I do to be saved?\" Sensing that the fellow was trusting his own righteousness, Wooten answered in"); document.writeln("a rather unconcerned way, \'��It is too late!\'�� The inquirer was startled. \'��Oh,"); document.writeln("do not say that, Sir!\'�� But the evangelist insisted, \'��It is too late!\'��. Then,"); document.writeln("looking the young man in the eye, he continued, \'��You want to know what you must"); document.writeln("DO to be saved. I tell you it is too late now or any other time. The work of"); document.writeln("salvation is done, completed, finished! It was finished on the cross. Our part"); document.writeln("is simply to acknowledge our sin and receive by faith the gift of forgiveness.\"²"); document.writeln("

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When"); document.writeln("the rich, young ruler asked Jesus a similar question in Mark 10, Jesus"); document.writeln("explained to the man that he must sell all that he has and follow Him. It was"); document.writeln("too late. Jesus had sensed that the young ruler had been trusting in his own"); document.writeln("righteousness for he was quick to mention that he had obeyed all of the"); document.writeln("commandments since he was a boy (v.20). The challenge Jesus gave to the man was to take"); document.writeln("it a step further\'�”Do not just seek eternal life, follow me. Before he tells the young man what"); document.writeln("he is still lacking, it says, \"Jesus looked at him and loved him.\""); document.writeln("(v.21) Jesus loved him no matter his decision. Jesus asked the rich man to give"); document.writeln("up his riches knowing that it was in that wealth where his heart lay.

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Is there anything keeping you from truly"); document.writeln("following Jesus? No matter where you are right now, Jesus loves you. There is nothing we can DO to"); document.writeln("earn salvation\'�� It is too late. The death of Jesus on the cross already made it possible. His salvation is"); document.writeln("free. It is a gift to be received. It was paid for by the blood of Jesus\'�”the"); document.writeln("ultimate gesture of His love for us!

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Suggested prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank"); document.writeln("you for loving me in spite of my selfishness. Today, I leave behind anything"); document.writeln("that is keeping me from following you with my whole heart. Thank you for your"); document.writeln("sacrifice so that I might have the gift of salvation. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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1. "); document.writeln("Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)."); document.writeln("

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2. "); document.writeln("Author unknown.

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Today\'��s Encounter was written by:"); document.writeln("Veronica B.

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