GOING TO HEAVEN?
May we ask you a question?
Have you come to a place in your life where you know for certain that if you were to die today you would go to heaven?
Here is what the Bible says about going to heaven:
GOD’S GRACE
The Bible states that by God’s grace, heaven is a free gift. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life…” (Romans 6:23). This GIFT is not earned or deserved.
GOD’S CHARACTER
God is a loving and merciful God and doesn’t want to punish us. “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God is also just and must punish sin. “He does not leave the guilty unpunished” (Exodus 34:7). God is angry with the wicked and He has commanded all men everywhere to repent. In God’s infinite wisdom He sent His Son to solve this problem for man.
MAN’S CONDITION
Man is a sinner. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We cannot save ourselves. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith…not by works…” (Ephesians 2:8,9). The punishment for man’s sin is eternal separation from God. “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23)
CHRIST’S SOLUTION
Who Christ is! He is fully God and fully Man. He is the Perfect Son of God. The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:1, 14). What Christ did! He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree…” (1 Peter 2:24).
FAITH
How do we receive this gift of eternal life? By Faith! “By grace you have been saved, through faith…” (Ephesians 2:8). Saving FAITH is not just giving mental assent. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder (James 2:19). Saving FAITH is trusting Jesus Christ alone for salvation. To receive eternal life, you need to transfer your trust from yourself or anyone else, to Christ alone. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
YOUR RESPONSE
If you desire to put your trust in Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with God, let us know–we are here to help you. It is the most important decision you will ever make. It affects your life both now and for eternity! If you have questions, contact Pastor today.