Getting to heaven, a Christian belief,

 Getting to heaven, A Christian belief.

The Bible also makes it clear how we get to heaven. It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,

Jesus speaking about himself said,

“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.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.

The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.

Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. And we all at some point in our lives fall short of what God wants for our life. Sin separates us from God.

Isaiah telling us, 

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6

There is however hope.

  The apostle John noting,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”1 John 1:9,10.

Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating, 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.”      Ephesians 2:8,9

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith on the individuals part. Hebrews stating,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” Hebrews 11:6

Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

This is what true Christians believe and I leave it here for your consideration with these words from C. S. Lewis, who wrote,

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.

Please think about it.

Have you?

 Have you?

The apostle John who lived with and was taught by Jesus said,

I believe the apostle John when he states,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  

In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. " John 1:1-4,14.

John believed Jesus was God incarnate. God in the flesh. In chapter three of his gospel he wrote,

"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.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.". John 3:16, 17.

This was the reason Jesus came to the earth he created. God realized that man could not live a life good enough to enter heaven. We all at one point in our lives sin. Sin meaning falling short of God’s ideals for our life.

The apostle Paul writing,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  Romans 3:23,24.

The apostle John writing,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

So have you asked for forgiveness of your sins? If so Christ as given you and all who believe in him a duty.

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20.

Please think about it.

The thief who got into heaven

The thief who got into heaven

"Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him (Jesus) to be executed.  

When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left....

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

Luke 23:32,33,39-43.

I heard this the other day. A man walks up to the gates of heaven and is asked, “Why are you hear?”

He replies, “The man on the cross told me to come”

Though it is just a story about the criminal who believed in Jesus getting into heaven. What he did while hanging on the cross is something we all are called to do.

First of all he believed Jesus was innocent and that Jesus was who He said He was the Son of God. 

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”

Second he confessed his sins saying,

“We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 

In reply Jesus said,

"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." 

Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God Saviour of all who believe in Him?

Will you confess your sins directly to God right now. The apostle John writing,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”1John 1:9.

John also writing,

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13. 

The criminal on the cross that day with Jesus believed who Jesus was confessed his sins and was forgiven. Thus giving him entry into heaven.

Please think about it.

When all has been heard

 When all has been heard

The writer of Ecclesiastes states,

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

One day we will be standing before God. At that time every deed will come to light. Everything we have done wrong. All our sins will be there to be judged.

I think if we are honest with ourselves we will admit that we cannot live a life good enough to stand before God.

That being said, Jesus offers us away. The apostle John speaking of Jesus writes,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

Thus the question becomes; have you confessed your sins directly to Jesus?

Please think about it.