Inner Alchemy?

While driving down Old Windsor Road I saw a company name written on a vehicle which interested me:  it read something to the effect of "Inner Alchemy Massage Therapy."  Alchemy is a fascinating subject because it has never been successful.  Like Rumpelstiltskin turned straw into gold, people through the ages have tried to use chemical means to change worthless or cheap metals into valuable ones.  No matter how many chemicals a person adds to lead or tin, it will never become platinum or gold.

The company name I read illustrates the fact that man thinks that by stimulating the body or mind with religion, philosophy, or exercise, he can purify himself.  Is it possible that a massage of muscles can increase the value of my soul?  This is a far stretch!  And why, if man believes himself naturally good (which he is not - that is why we lock our doors, protect our personal details, and buy pepper-spray), do we need any "inner alchemy" at all?  Man has been born into sin, and no amount of pampering or make-up or holidays will change this.  Our chemical imbalances pale in comparison to our spiritual negligence.  No amount of counseling or psycho-therapy will solve our sin-problem:  only Jesus can purify our hearts from sin!

There is much a man can do to make himself a better person from without, but no man can begin to be good inside without the saving grace and power of Jesus Christ within.  All attempts at alchemy have failed, and so has every attempt of man to draw near to God by his own "goodness."  Religion churns out devils, but Jesus redeems sinners and makes them saints.  How many men in a vain attempt to earn the favor of God have denied themselves of God's grace and perished eternally, while those who cry out "O LORD be merciful to me a sinner!" have entered into life eternal.  Praise God for the transformation He alone can do!  He does not change us from one element to another, but a complete change from death to life.  Thank Him for that!