HOW CAN I GET TO HEAVEN?
What do you think it takes for someone to
get to heaven? Is it luck? Good deeds? Nothing at all? Or is there something
more? The Bible has the real answer to this question. It's a matter of
FAITH.
F stands for FORGIVENESS. We cannot have eternal life
without God's forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7a says, "In Him (Jesus Christ) we have
redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins."
A is for
AVAILABLE. Forgiveness is available for all. John 3:16 says, "For God so
loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish but have eternal life." But forgiveness is not automatic. "Not
everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven," says
Matthew 7:21a.
I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for God to
allow sin into heaven because of who He is and because of who we are. God is
loving and just, but His judgment is against sin. James 2:13a says, "Because
judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful." We
are sinful people. Romans 3:23 tells us, "For all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God."
T is for TURN. To turn means to repent. We can
repent -- or turn -- from our sin and from ourselves. "But unless you repent,
you too will all perish," Luke 13:3b says. We can also turn to Someone. Trust
Christ alone. Romans 10:9 tells us how: "That if you confess with your mouth,
'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved."
H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life. Here,
that means life "to the full:" "I have come that they may have life, and have it
to the full (John 10:10b)." In the hereafter, it means the promise of heaven:
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be
with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:3)."
So how can a
person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal
Savior and Lord? By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness. Take
the step of faith described by another meaning of FAITH: Forsaking All I Trust
Him.
You do this through a simple prayer reflecting your desire for
Christ to change your life. You don't need fancy words--only an honest heart.
You can pray something like this:
Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and
have displeased You in many ways. I believe You died for my sin, and only
through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn
from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this
day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases You. Thank you, Lord
Jesus, for saving me. Amen.
Accepting Christ is just the beginning of
a wonderful adventure with God! Get to know Him better in a number of
ways:
* Follow Christ's example in baptism.
* Join a church where you
can worship God and grow in your faith.
* In your church, get involved in
Sunday School and Bible study.
* Begin a daily personal worship experience
with God where you study the Bible and pray.