How does a person get to Heaven?
The most prolific answer is, “just be a good person.” And most people believe they are essentially good, and perhaps they are.
But how good is good enough? Let’s say they keep all of the Ten Commandments. They are kind and empathetic and benevolent. They take care of the poor and donate to good causes. They may even attend church and say certain prayers. They never lie (if you say you never lie, you probably just did!). Be honest for sure! And they just plain live a good life!
Isn’t all that good enough?
If you say you are good, what are your standards of measurement? Do all good people have the same standards? If not, how do you know your standards are right? Do you just keep adding to the pile of “goodness” to be certain? Disconcerting? Bewildering? Unclear?
Jesus the Son of God, God the Son came to earth to bring the very good news; clarity and wisdom and simplicity to this conundrum of “who goes to Heaven?” His teachings reflected a plethora of miracles and wonders, but the ultimate was the free gift He would give us, the gift of salvation and a Heavenly home for all eternity through His sacrifice on the cross. How was that accomplished?
Here’s a simple illustration. Let’s say you’ve been charged with a serious crime, and you are in court owing millions of dollars with no ability to pay the fine and jail is looming. Jesus walks in and says to the judge “I will pay the court fees, the price, the fine the ransom. Then to you, “and you are entirely and eternally free.”
This is what He did when He went to the cross. What exactly was He paying for there? Well, it’s a matter of taking the penalty, paying for sin He NEVER committed.
Nobody likes the word SIN. It brings up the connotation of something really evil, lawless, abusive, murderous, immoral, tempestuous, despicable, diabolical, (you get the idea!) and more.
And it certainly is all those things! But also, it can just be a failure to do what is right, a wrongdoing, just missing the mark of God’s standards.
Let’s just say we have probably all done some things that we are not proud of, that we would not want anyone/everyone to know about. So those missteps (sins) are charged to our account. And how do we settle the payment? Do more good works? Is it just about balancing the account?
We could never manage it! We could never be good enough!
So, if just being good doesn’t open Heaven’s door, what does?
Believing in Jesus, who is who He claimed to be, deity!
“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in prophets in many portions and many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir to all things, through whom also He made the world, and He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right-hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb. 1:1-3)
Jesus said:
“I and the Father are One.” Jn. 10:30
“He who beholds Me, beholds the One who sent Me.” Jn. 12:45
“I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Jn. 14:6
“He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” Jn. 14:9
These statements from Jesus made the religious leaders of that time deranged and determined to get rid of Him! Not what you’d expect from those who believed they were so Holy.
Here is the good news:
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (God) and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses resulting in salvation.” Or whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Heb. 10:9-10, 13
Think about it! God offers you a free gift! (Salvation) What can you do? Accept it graciously and gratefully. Perhaps saying something like this… “Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ name asking for forgiveness of my sins, my “debt” paid in full by Jesus’ sacrifice for me on the cross. Thank you that by believing in Him I am forgiven. I now confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and ask Him to come into my life. Please help me to live for You every day” amen.
If you prayed that, you are now dressed in the attire of Heaven wearing His white linen robes of righteousness (Rev. 19:8,14)
Imagine a new life here and now and an eternal life in Heaven forever! Because of the “Greatest Exchange” ever! His Righteousness for my sin!
Heaven…our future home! I’ll see you there!
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