How to get to heaven
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"These things have I written...that ye may know that ye have eternal life" I John 5:13.
Consider life's greatest question:
"what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30
A. You must understand where you stand with God.
1. God loves you and wants you in Heaven forever with Him.
"God so loved the world" John 3:16.
2. However, your sins separate you and God.
"your iniquities have separated between you and your God" Isaiah 59:2.
3. That includes everyone.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23.
* Jesus died on the cross to pay for sins.
B. You must understand that Heaven cannot be earned.
1. Not by doing enough good things.
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us..." Titus 3:5.
2. Not by being baptized, joining a church, or obeying the Ten Commandments.
"For by grace are ye 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
* The price for your sins must be paid, but to bypass the death of Christ and try to earn your own way to Heaven is an insult to God.
C. You must be willing to allow God to change your direction.(Repent)
1. Sin will take you to Hell.
"the wages of sin is death;" Romans 6:23.
2. Pride and self righteousness will cause you to miss Heaven.
Prov. 6:16-19; Rom. 10:2-3; Luke 13:2-5; Matt. 5:20; Rom. 3:28
3. Faith in yourself, your baptism, or your church will cause you to miss Heaven.
Romans 3:24-25; John 1:12-13; Mark 7:6-13; John 3:3
4. You must be willing to repent.
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted" Acts 3:19.
"The Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." II Pet. 3:9
* Repentance means to change your mind or attitude towards God.
D. You must believe (surrender) in Jesus Christ with your heart.
1. A head knowledge about religion never got anyone to Heaven.
"the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19
2. Contrary to popular opinion, according to the Bible, most people will not go to Heaven when they die.
"narrow is the way...few there be that find it." Matthew 7:13-14,21-23
3. You must receive Jesus Christ by faith as your Lord and Saviour.
"being justified by faith" Romans 5:1.
* Eternal life was paid for with the shed blood of Christ. Accept it as a free gift.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
CONCLUSION:
True salvation is life changing (II Cor. 5:17) and cannot be lost (John 10:27- 28). If you sincerely want to get right with God you must repent and come to faith in Jesus Christ. To repent does not simply mean that you are sorry or that you admit that you have sinned. To repent means that you are ready to get right with God no matter what it may cost you. You are turning to God and are ready to listen to what He says. This is done from within the heart and will be seen in your life if true repentance has taken place. God then points you to His Son, Jesus Christ and you put the heart of repentance on Him and faith is born bringing you to salvation. True Repentance/faith is a daily life which is never turned away from.
Humble your heart to God and call on His Son seeking forgiveness for your sin and find the forgiveness that every soul needs and yearns for.
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