Hi,
As a friend, I only want the best for you, that’s why even though I know you’ve heard this before, I feel it necessary to share this with you again. I am taking a different approach to this though. Please feel free to verify my information. If there are any doubts please feel free to ask me and/or read the Bible on your own carefully. All quotes are taken from the King James Bible, use any translation you feel comfortable with.
Faith - Confidence or trust in a person or thing. Randon House Webster’s Dictionary.
I. What we already know:
We know we are sinners. I know you know this, but just as a point of reference, in Romans 3:23 it says: For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God. You might be asking yourself “How, then can I go to heaven?”
II. Doing good deeds?
In Ephesians 2:9, it reads: Not of works, lest any man boast. Luke 16:15 says: And he said unto them, Y are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
How dare we think that we can be “good” enough to go to heaven. There is not any man on this earth who can abstain from all evil, it is impossible for us to “earn” heaven. In Old Testament times the believers in God would sacrifice animals for the redemption of their sins, you might be asking yourself “Well, why can’t we do that?” There is only one answer to that question. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. “He that was without sin was made sin for us.” When Jesus died on the cross, He did it knowingly and willingly foryou and me. The fact that He died is no reason alone, but He also resurrected from the dead. He conquered death for us. If we say we can reach heaven by good deeds, then His sacrifice for us on the cross was in vain. We are saying that He was not a good enough sacrifice for us. We reduce Him to a martyr and call Him a liar.
III. Then, how can we go to heaven?
Ephesians 2:8 says: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
Jesus himself said in John 14:6 - I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Romans 5:8 - God shows his love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Further proof can be found in Acts 4:12; John 10:9; Romans 10:13; John 1:12; I Corinthians 15:3-4; John 3:16; John 3:36; and throughout in the Bible.
IV. Let’s say I believe this, now what?
Romans 10:13 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
A simple prayer like this one made with all sincerity is all that is needed:
“Father, I realize that I am a sinner and not worthy of going to heaven, but I believe that Jesus died on the cross for me, and I repent of my sins. The Bible says that if I accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour I will be saved. I now confess to you that Jesus is my Lord and my Saviour and accept him into my heart. Thank you for your Son and Salvation through him. Amen.”
V. Final thoughts.
Me
