In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes for a person to go to Heaven? Let's consider how the Bible answers this question....it's a matter of FAITH....
F is for Forgiveness
We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God's forgiveness.
(Ephesians 1:7a) In Him we have redemption through His blood...
A is for Available
Forgiveness is available.
It is-Available for ALL
(John 3:16) For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life
But it is NOT automatic
(Matthew 7:21a) Not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" to Me will enter the the kingdom of heaven...
I is for Impossible
It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven
-Because of who he is: God is loving and just. His judgement is against sin
(James 2:13a)..because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful
-Because of who we are: Every person is a sinner.
(Romans 3:23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
But how can a sinful person enter heaven, when God allows no sin?
T is for Turn
Turn means repent.
Turn from something- sin and self
(Luke13:3b) But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Turn to someone: trust Christ only
(Romans 10:9) That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved
H is for Heaven
Heaven is eternal life.
Here...
(John 10:10b) "I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly"
and Hereafter....
(John 14:3) "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you with me that you may also be where I am"
How? How can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Lord and Savior? By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness.
Here is another acrostic you can use for FAITH: Forsaking All I Trust Him.
If you would like to take that step of FAITH right now, please pray this prayer with me wherever you are:
Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have sinned against You in many ways. I believe You died for my sins and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn from my sin and ask you to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day on, I want to follow You by living a life that pleases You. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving and forgiving me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
If you just prayed that prayer for the very first time, welcome to the family! You are now "Born Again" and you are now my brother, or sister in Christ. It is VERY important that you tell someone!! Find someone you know that is a Christian, so that they can pray with you, and for you, and help you get dialed in with a Bible, and help in getting you plugged into a church. If you need help in any of those areas, please let me know! You can contact me by leaving a comment for me! And please, leave me a comment anyways, and just let me know of the decision you just made so that I can be praying for you! God Bless you...
