October 30, 2026

by Kimberly Hobbs 

VOICE OF TRUTH FOR TODAY
Gospel Grace

I grew up attending church regularly. By fourteen, I was even doing readings during services. I believed in God and Heaven, but I didn’t know God personally. And one question quietly haunted me: How could I ever know whether I’d been good enough to get into Heaven?

I tried to do the right things, but nothing brought assurance. I didn’t own a Bible, so I avoided religious conversations rather than risk revealing how little I understood.
Then a business trip to Minnesota changed everything.
I arranged to visit my brother-in-law, Tom, a Bible-teaching pastor. He asked me two questions: Was I certain I’d go to Heaven if I died? And if God asked why He should let me in, what would I say?
My answer was all about what I had done.

Tom gently explained that no amount of church attendance, good deeds, giving, or religious activity could earn salvation. Romans 3:23 teaches that all have sinned. I was shocked to discover that even the little white lies I’d dismissed were sin!

Then came the Good News.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… it is the gift of God—not by works” (Ephesians 2:8–9, NIV).
Jesus had already paid the price I could never pay.
Grace means receiving what we don’t deserve. Mercy means being spared what we do deserve. And salvation comes through trusting Jesus Christ, not through our own performance.

That day, I placed my trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. The burden I’d carried for years was finally lifted!
Friend, eternity matters. We aren’t promised tomorrow.
If you’ve been wondering whether you’ve done enough, here’s the beautiful truth:
Jesus has done what you could never do for yourself.
Receive His gift. Trust Him today.
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Excerpt from Voice of Truth Magazine
“Gospel Grace” by Lillian Cucuzza