If you were to die today, and were to meet God, and He should ask you why He should let you into His heaven, what would you say?
Uncertain?
Let me share some good news with you.
Five important facts tell you the answer to that question!
Fact No. 1 Heaven (eternal life) is a free gift - based on God's grace.
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23)
Heaven cannot be earned or deserved.
"For by grace are you saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift from God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Grace - refers to what God wants to give you which you do not deserve.
Amazing, but true - God wants YOU to go to heaven - Eternal life is a free GIFT!
The second fact tells why many do not have this gift -
Fact No. 2 Man in himself does not deserve the gift of heaven -- WHY?
Man is a sinner by nature and by choice.
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
Man is incapable of doing good according to God's standards.
"...there is none that do good, no not one" (Romans 3:12)
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10)
Man cannot save himself
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5)
The result of this sin is found in Fact No. 3
Fact No. 3 There is a penalty for sin.
God is love - He doesn't want to judge you.
"The Lord...is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9)
BUT
God is also just - He must judge sin.
"He will by no means clear the guilty" (Exodus 34:7)
"The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23)
I.E. physical death and also spiritual death (separation from God)
Man's basic needs are:
--Forgiveness
--Peace with God
--Eternal life
He tries religion, good deeds, materialism, acclaim, etc., to satisfy his needs, BUT THESE DO NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF SIN.
God is love. He as the solution!
Fact No. 4 tells us how God has the only solution.
Fact No. 4 Jesus Christ is your only way to heaven.
Who He is -- The infinite God-man.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the word was God...and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." (John 1:1,14)
What He did -- He paid the penalty of our sins, and purchased a place in heaven for us.
"God commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
"Christ once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18)
"Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6)
What must you do?
Fact No. 5 Personal faith in Christ -- is the answer.
Faith is not--merely mentally believing the fact.
"You believe there is one God, you do well; the demons also believe...and shudder" (James 2:19)
Many people AGREE that Jesus Christ lived and died, and some even AGREE to the fact of His resurrection! But, they have not turned from sin, and trusted Him.
Faith is - turning from your sins and trusting in Jesus Christ ALONE for your eternal salvation!
"Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved" (Acts 4:12)
"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become children of God, even to them that believe on His Name" (John 1:12)
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31)
The Bible says "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)
Now....
The Question is....
Can you think of any reason why you wouldn't like to invite Christ into your life right now?
Here is a suggested prayer that may express the desire of your heart:
"Dear Lord,
Thank you for the gift of eternal life. I know I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. I believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for my sins and rose again from the dead. I now put my complete trust in you alone for eternal life. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen
Pray that prayer now.
How do you know that you have eternal life?
Because God says so! Don't trust your feelings.
Believe these facts in God's Word:
"And this is the record, that God hath given us to eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life" (1 John 5:11-13)
Now remember, God doesn't lie. He said:
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; If any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20)
Now that you are a new Christian, what should you do?
1) make a public confession of your faith before others (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10).
2) Be baptized in obedience to Christ and in testimony to your faith (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:35-39; 30-34; Romans 6:3-5)
3) Attend a Bible-teaching church where you can fellowship with other Christians and learn the Word of God (Acts 2;41-42); Hebrews 10:24-25).
G o to God in prayer often.
R ead God's Word daily.
O bey God's Word.
W itness to others of Christ.
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