Good People

April 2, good people. There is a lot of pride to be had in the working class of America.

Our country was built by these determined, no nonsense people, and the hardships they

endured speak to their incredible selflessness. Much of today's working class has inherited

these same principles. They are the good people of America. The ones just trying to make

an honest living, wholesome and down to earth. But has our respect for good people affected

the way we perceive the gospel? Today we'll hear from a woman whose mother was part of America's

greatest generation. And she seemed like a good person, maybe even good enough to escape hell.

She's here to share her true story on this unshackled daily devotional.

I was 13 when my father died. My name is Marie Carl. Mother took in ironing to survive the

depression. She sent us to church, but we never talked about God at home. When I was 16, I heard

an evangelist and gave my life to Christ. But eventually my younger brother Louis was also saved.

Then Harry, the man who wanted to marry me, came to Christ. But mother wouldn't discuss my face.

When World War II erupted, Harry and I married and moved to North Carolina for his military training.

My brother Louis also went into the army, even though he was mother's sole support. On July 30,

as 1944, Louis was killed in action. No one wanted to tell mother the news, so God sent me.

Mother showed me her last letter from Louis, and he pleaded with her to accept Christ. He wrote how

God wants all of us to go to heaven, but no one is good enough. That's why Jesus died on the cross

for our sins. Then he wrote, Mom, if you made me a sweater and I refused your gift, it would be

all for nothing. That's how it is with salvation, unless we receive Christ. His death on the cross

does not help us. Mother wept in her grief, and four days later prayed to receive Christ as Lord

and Savior. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans chapter 3, beginning at the end of verse 22,

There is no difference for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Friend, Paul is making a blanket statement here, leaving no one out. The truth is, while some people

may live a more wholesome life than others, without Christ, they are no closer to heaven than the

worst criminal. The Bible says anyone who has not surrendered their life to Jesus

is deserving of hell. So do not let the gospel lose its power by believing that some people are

already good. We are all in need of Christ, desperately, even those with the best intentions

and track record. Will you receive this truth today? Unshackled, the longest running audio drama

in history airs on over 3,000 radio stations worldwide, real people, real life stories,

and the hope that changes everything. This award-winning program grips the heart with compelling

and relevant stories of transformed lives. Without Jesus Christ, we are all shackled by sin,

by our wrong choices, disobedience, and selfish motives. But God is at work, and the power of Christ

sets us free of our bondage. We are Unshackled. Unshackled daily devotionals are built on true

life accounts and help us ponder the application of Scripture to our lives. A key Bible verse is

provided so you can dig deeper into its specific intent in these Unshackled daily devotionals.

Listen to a new devotional every day, and don't forget to tell your friends about Unshackled

daily devotionals.