What Must I Do To Get To Heaven?
You know that's the same question that the rich young ruler asked Jesus. He said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”(Matthew 7:21)
But that's also a very important question for us too. In fact, it's probably THE most important question that anybody can ask or answer. Maybe you're even struggling with that question today yourself. Well, let's start with the Bible and the word F.A.I.T.H.
F- STANDS FOR FORGIVENESS
In order for us to have eternal life, we must first have Forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7 says, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." You know, there's one thing that we ALL have in common with each other, and that is, that we've all sinned against God. Romans 3:23 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," And in order for us to have eternal life, we must be forgiven.
A- STANDS FOR AVAILABLE
The great news is that the forgiveness that we all need is available for ALL. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but will have everlasting life." There isn't one single person alive today, that God has not offered His forgiveness to. It's truly available to ALL. But it's NOT automatic. Some people falsely believe that because they are good, or that they do good things that they are automatically forgiven. But that's simply not so. In fact, the Bible says, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." Matthew 7:21 You see, it takes more than doing good things or saying "LORD, LORD" to get us into heaven. And that leads us to the letter I.
I- STANDS FOR IMPOSSIBLE
It is impossible for God to allow sin into haven because of WHO God is. You see, God is LOVE, but He is also JUST. The Bible says " And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:23 Not only will God one day remove those who are guilty and without forgiveness from His presence, but He will sin them forever to a lake of fire. In fact the Bible says that the "wages of sin is death." And because of that price, Jesus willingly went to the cross to be punished for our sins. God gave His Son to die in our place. You see, WE are the ones who were supposed to be punished on the cross, but Jesus took the punishment for us.
T- STANDS FOR TURNING
If you're driving down the road, and you suddenly realize you're driving the wrong way, what do you do? You turn around, of course.
You see, once you realize that the life you are living is taking you in the wrong direction, you have a choice to make. You can either keep doing the same things you've always done, or you change direction. And Jesus asks all of those who accept Him by faith to repent, or to turn from their sinful ways and follow Him.
H- STANDS FOR HEAVEN
Heaven is eternal life. The Bible says that when we trust in Christ, we can have the assurance that we will spend an eternity with Him in Heaven. You see, heaven is a place where those who believe in Christ will one day reside, but first it begins now as Christ dwells in us. His presence in our lives brings hope, reason, and purpose to the events that surround us. Jesus said in John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
Although SALVATION is a free gift, it cost Jesus His life, and in turn accepting Him as your Savior will come with some costs. Our lives should change, and that change should reflect what the love of Christ, and God's forgiveness has meant for us. But it's a cost that we must endure, and if we are to live eternally with Him, then we will gladly obey Him and respond to Him when He calls.
If you would like to speak to someone about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please feel free to call us at 325-273-0210, or come by and visit us at Berry Lane Baptist Church.
