Most people don’t like to think about death, but if statistics hold, 10 out of 10 people will eventually die. 140,000 people die every day. No matter how much you try, you will not escape death.
Then what?
Do you think you’ll go to heaven when you die?
I’ve asked many people this question and almost everyone responds, “Yes”, or “I hope so!”
In fact, I don’t know if I’ve heard one person say no. The Bible says that on judgement day, many will be self-deceived, crying out, “Lord, Lord,” thinking they’re in, and then God will say to them,
“Depart from Me,
I never knew you.”
Yikes! Can you imagine that?
Most people think they’re going to heaven because they are good. “After all, I’ve never killed anyone, I try to be kind to others, and I’m certainly not as bad as some people. Therefore, I deserve to go to heaven.” I guess it only seems fair.
The problem is that they are using a relative standard to measure their goodness. Have you measured yourself against God’s standard of the 10 commandments? Let’s look at just 4 of them.
- Have you ever told a lie? If you’ve told a lie that would make you a liar.
- Have you ever stolen anything? That makes you a thief.
- If you’ve even looked with lust, you’ve committed adultery in your heart.
- If you’ve ever taken God’s name in vain, you’ve blasphemed the Holy name of God Who gave you life, and used it as a cuss word.
The bad news That’s only 4 of the 10 commandments. The Bible says it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment. When you stand before God, will you be innocent or guilty of breaking His laws? If you’re honest with yourself, you know you’d be guilty. If you’re guilty are you going to Heaven or Hell? Did you know that Jesus talked more about hell in the Bible than about heaven? He said the path to destruction is wide and many are on it and the road to life is narrow but few will find it.
The Bible says there is no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood. In the Old Testament the system was to sacrifice animals and the blood “covered” the sins of the people. But that was only a symbol pointing to the ultimate sacrifice to come.
The good news Jesus Christ (God Himself) came into this world as a man, lived a perfect life, and willingly died a brutal death on a cross as a substitutionary atonement for sin, once and for all! He was the only perfect sacrifice and He took the punishment that you and I deserve. Do you know what John the Baptist said when he saw Jesus? “Behold the Lamb of God who comes to take away the sins of the world.” This was God’s plan from the beginning. Then He rose again three days later and defeated death. But the scriptures say that we also need to be righteous. “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” WE CAN’T! But Christ did, by obeying all of God’s law perfectly for us. “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe..”
The big question: How do you access that forgiveness and righteousness? The Bible says you must repent of your sins and put your faith and trust in Jesus. You must turn from your sins and submit to God.
The Bible says unless a man is born again, he cannot enter heaven.
May God give you the new birth so that you repent and trust in Him. And God will forgive you, adopt you into His family giving you a new heart with new desires. If you’re planning on standing before God in your own righteousness, you will perish. The Bible says “all of our good works are as filthy rags.” You will not enter heaven on your own goodness. You must depend on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The Bible is very clear.
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
“There is no other name given among men
by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
If you are reading this and are not sure where you’ll be spending eternity, please, please, please consider what you’ve read. Will you repent and trust in Jesus Christ today? Why not now?
Today is the day of salvation!
Resources
Grace to You • www.gty.org
Wretched Radio • www.wretchedradio.com
Living Waters • www.livingwaters.com
180 Movie • www.180movie.com