One of the reasons so many people miss out on heaven is they think that getting to God is like shooting free throws instead of walking a tightrope. If you’re playing hoops, shooting 99 percent is NBA All-Star good. But if you’re walking a tightrope across the Grand Canyon, hitting 99 percent of your steps leaves you … well … dead.

The problem with “free throw theology” is that you focus on yourself instead of running to Jesus. Just do your best. Try harder. Learn from your mistakes. Be a good person, and you’ll make it to a better place. But that’s not true. Jesus said, “Be perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Paul wrote, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). James said that someone who stumbles just once and violates God’s law is “guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10). Sin just once, and you are in danger.

Unless you have a Savior. Two thousand years ago, Jesus stood at one end of the tightrope and offered you a ride. This is why we put our faith entirely in him, relying on his steps to save us. And this is why we read Luke 4:1-13 with intense interest. I encourage you to open your Bible to those verses, picture yourself on Jesus’ shoulders, and celebrate as he takes step after obedient step in order to get you to the presence of God. When the tempter tempted, your Savior resisted.

Salvation is a tightrope. Thankfully, Jesus walked it for you.