The Chip Theory–and Other Failed Efforts to Get to Heaven
I met a really nice guy on a mountain a few weeks ago. He was admiring a Class 3 ridge I had just traversed, and we ended up climbing together for a while. My new friend was a postal worker in Denver, and very willing to talk about life. So, I brought up matters of faith. I mean, I knew I probably wouldn’t ever see this guy again, why not talk about God?
He told me that we was trying to be a good person. He believed that if he treated people fairly, was good to his friends and family, and avoided most of the biggies like murder, adultery, etc., that he’d stand a pretty good chance of making the cut into heaven. After all, isn’t that what God expects?
I responded between my thin-air-laced breaths, “Ah yes, the Chip Theory.”
Him: The Chip Theory
Me: Yes, the Chip Theory. You know, it’s like playing poker. You accumulate chips during life for all the good stuff you do. At the end of your life you hand your chips to God. He takes out what you owe the bank–you know, for your bad stuff. And after that, if you still have enough chips left, you’re in.
Him: Well, I’ve never quite thought of it like that, but I guess that’s right. I mean, I know I’m not perfect, but I’m basically a pretty good person.
Me: Yep. You’re betting on having enough chips (good deeds) to get you in. The problem with the Chip Theory is that it’s really stupid and it doesn’t work.
Like I said, we were way up on a mountain. What’s the guy gonna do, run away? I didn’t feel that tact was necessary at that point. And for the next hour I talked to the guy about Jesus and how he gave his life to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
Friends, let me be very clear here–the path to heaven isn’t pragmatic. There is no karma that honors good behavior; there is no scale that weighs out good deeds verses bad; there is no list of rules you can keep or steps you can take that will guarantee you a seat at God’s table.
When it comes to getting to heaven, there is only God’s way–and God’s way has nothing to do with how hard we try or how good we are. When it comes to spending eternity in heaven with God, you have to be perfect, blameless, holy. Good isn’t ever going to be good enough for God.
And the only way that imperfect humans can become holy is to be changed by an independent, outside and holy source. That’s what God does through Jesus. He does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. It’s grace over being good; it’s Jesus over me; and it’s mercy instead of justice. Thank God.
My friend and I eventually reached the summit, shook hands and went our separate ways. But unlike our earthly climb, in the pursuit of God there is no reaching the summit. It’s impossible. There’s no way to get to him. He has to come to us. He has to condescend. He has to change us. And that he did.
Friends, chips are overrated. The bank is broke. Bet on Jesus.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
