The Good News

Because I can't gauge where a person is spiritually simply based on which option they choose, I don't want to make any assumptions. So I always ask a couple of questions to get a better sense of where they're at spiritually so that I can best help them grow.

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First, Who is Jesus to you, personally? Do you know for sure that you are going to be with God in Heaven when you die? If God were to ask you, “Why should I let you into My Heaven?” what would you say?

I like to share the following information with EVERYONE I hear from, "just in case". So if this is old news to you, then consider it a refresher course on Christianity 101. However, if you're not sure what you would say to God, then did you know that the Bible tells how you can know for sure that you will be with God in Heaven? The Bible says there are five things you need to know about eternal life: “These things I have written unto you . . . that you may know that you have eternal life . . .” (1 John 5:13) Let's look at those five things:

1 - Heaven is a gift and like any other true gift, it is not earned or deserved. That means that no amount of personal effort, good works, or religious deeds can earn a place in Heaven for you. “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).

2 - WHY is it that no one can earn his way to Heaven? Because . . . Man is a sinner. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3: 23). I've heard it said that sin is ANYTHING that we think, say or do that displeases God. If you don't think that you're a sinner, sit back and be honest with yourself. Have you ever lied? Cheated? Stolen? Looked at another person with lust? "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." (James 2:10) With such a high standard, no one can save himself.

3 - However, God created us! He loves us and is merciful, He doesn’t want to lose what he made. He doesn’t want to punish us. This is because “ . . . God is love” But the same Bible which tells us that God loves us, also tells us that God is just and therefore must punish sin. He says “. . . (I) will by no means clear the guilty . . .” (Exodus 34: 7). And “. . . the soul that sins, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). That seems like a no-win situation, doesn’t it?

4 - God solved this problem for us in the Person of Jesus Christ. Who is He? He is God in the form of a human being. “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus). . . and the Word (Jesus) was God. And the Word (Jesus) was made flesh, and dwelt among us . . .” (John 1: 1,14). Jesus Christ came to earth and lived a perfectly sinless life, but while on earth, what did he do? “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6) Why did he do that? To purchase a place for us in Heaven. Bottom line: Jesus Christ bore our sin in His body on the cross and now offers you eternal life (Heaven) as a free gift. 

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5 - This gift is received by faith. Let me clarify what faith is NOT. Saving faith is NOT mere head knowledge, like believing certain historical facts. The Bible says that the devil believes there is one God, so believing that there is one God is not saving faith. Saving faith is also NOT a temporal faith, that is, trusting God for temporary crises such as financial, family, or physical needs. You can trust Christ for these, but they are not saving faith! Saving faith IS trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. It means resting upon Christ alone and what He has done rather than in what you or I have done to get us into Heaven. “. . . Believe (trust) on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved . . .” (Acts 16: 31).

Have you received the gift of eternal life? Because this is such an important matter let’s clarify just what it involves. It means that you need to: 

1 - Transfer your trust (From what you have been doing to what Christ has done for you on His cross)
2 - Accept Christ as Savior (Open the “door” to your heart and invite Him in.) He says: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to Him . . . .” (Revelation 3:20)
3 - Receive Jesus Christ as Lord (Give Him the “driver’s seat” and “controls” of your life, not the “back seat.”)
4 – Repent (Be willing to turn from anything that is not pleasing to Him. He will reveal His will to you as you grow in your relationship with Him.)

If you weren’t completely sure, before reading this, that heaven is where you’ll end up, you can receive His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ right now. “For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:10,13).

If this is what you really want, you can talk to God in prayer right where you are. Here’s a suggested prayer: 
“Lord Jesus, thank You for Your gift of eternal life. I know I’m a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. But You loved me so You died and rose from the grave to purchase a place in Heaven for me. I now trust in You alone for eternal life and repent of my sin. Please take control as Lord of my life. Thank you so much!”

If this prayer is the sincere desire of your heart, look at what Jesus promises to those who believe in Him: “. . . I say unto you, he that believes on Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47). If you have truly repented (forsaken, turned away) from your sins, placed your trust in Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, and received the gift of eternal life you are now a child of God! Forever!

Now, faith in Jesus, that is just the beginning! God doesn’t stop at giving us a ticket to heaven. He wants to show you His love right here and right now. That's what happens when we grow in our faith. When you practice the four spiritual disciplines, you open yourself up for experiencing that great love firsthand. These include talking to God (prayer), reading God’s letter to you (the bible), joining a group of other believers (church), and sharing your story with others.

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Friends, Is there anything I can lift up in prayer for you? Please let me know. Do you have any questions about any of what I've shared here? Please don't hesitate to ask about it or anything else that comes to mind. I'm always available to you.

Do you want to know more?? 

Check out these links: Godlife - Gospel & Got Questions? Gospel Presentations