If you were face to face with God and He asked you why He should let you into heaven, what would you tell Him? The truth is there will be no argument or negotiation about your final destination after you die because death is the vehicle to your permanent abode. So how can you set things right before that fateful day?
There is absolutely nothing any human being can do to earn entrance into heaven. Yes good works are important but for brevity, let’s not look at that now. Friends, the solution is outside of ourselves.
The only sufficient criteria is the finished work of Jesus Christ who is the only One who could reconcile human beings to Holy God. Since everyone else has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, only a perfect Human (the Son of God, Son of Man) could represent, atone and mediate for us. Jesus told us how to secure a full pardon as written in sacred Scripture:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16 to 18 King James Version)
Jesus
God created a single simple requirement that provided for His righteousness and His deisre to forgive fallen humanity; for executing justice while being gracious to anyone who will believe (faith being His only requirement).
1st John 4:8 states that God is love and since God created the universe through His Son as explained in Colossians 1:16, then if you can accept it, the source of life, love and beauty is God. Consider for a moment what you have if you take away all love, goodness, kindness, beauty and mercy.
You may not like this message. You may choose to scoff at it. You may choose to resent it. And, you may choose to live your life without God. If this describes you, in the end God will give you exactly what you want: an eternity filled with everyone else who did not want His love, goodness, and beauty; and, permanent separation from everyone who loved His truth.
Are you good with that? I’m not! I don’t want anyone to endure this. Existing like that forever is no life! I see that as a perpetuity of spiritual ruin and gross darkness in flaming agony!
BUT… If you are willing to trust what God has done for you in sending His Son to pay the penalty of your sin, then you can enjoy a pardoned enternity filled with love, joy, peace, beauty, song, and delightful mysteries under the Kingship of Jesus.
So I ask, are a few questions or doubts worth gambling your forever?
“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” … For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”” (Romans 10:8 to 11, and 13 New King James Version)
The Apostle Paul through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”” (Romans 1:16 to 17 New King James Version)
The Apostle Paul through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit
Personally, I am relieved that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life because I am utterly unable to be perfect like God and I need His grace and love everyday. The impact He has made in my heart helps me love and forgive others specifically since His sacrifice was for all people. You can’t buy lasting inner peace. And, as an added benefit, while walking out this earthly existence, I have a joy and a hope that cannot compare to anything else. We all experience challenges, and I am so thankful that the Creator is my Saviour who walks with me and assures me of His unfailing love and my future with Him.
If you want, you can ask for Jesus to be your mediator or defense. Here is a sample prayer offered as a suggestion. You can confess something like this outloud to God.
- I acknowledge I am a sinner and desire to be forgiven. I understand You God desired to forgive people and so You fulfilled Your promises (prophecies) of sending the perfect Saviour, Your Son named Jesus, to pay the penalty of sin (which was death). I believe in my heart Jesus died for my sins, that He was raised to life by You God and that Jesus currently lives with You, Father God. I confess to You my God out loud with my mouth that Jesus Christ is LORD of my life. I commit to following Your Word with Your help. Help me to love you completely.
If you have said a repentance prayer like the sample above, and you believe what you have said, you have joined an amazing family and should get connected with other people who can help you understand more about your Heavenly Father and your new exciting destiny. There are church locators on-line; or if you want help connecting to a group in your area, you can use the form at https://desiringfruitfulness.ca/testimonies/. Most importantly, please read the Bible for yourself. Your faith will deepen as you learn.
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