What about eternity?
Most people believe that there is life after death. Most of these people hope that their journey from earth into eternity has its final destination in heaven. But can we know for certain where we will spend eternity? What must one do to have eternal life? The average person might say:
- Live a good life
- Join a church and attend regularly
- Be baptized and/or confirmed
- Follow the teachings and example of Christ
And all of these things have merit and sound like good things to do, but they reflect the idea that eternity in Heaven must be earned. The Bible clearly states that we cannot win or earn our way into heaven.
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags... and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." -Isaiah 64:6
So, if I cant get there by being a good person or trying to follow Christs teachings, how can I go to heaven?e
The good news is we can know without a doubt that we will spend eternity in heaven. But, there is only one way to heaven - through Christ. Even though we were seperated from God by our sins and shortcomings, God sent His Son. Even though He knew many would scoff and refuse to Believe Him or Trust Him, God still sent His Son.
WHY?
Because..... He really loves you.
What should I do?
Admit you are a sinner and repent of your sins
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; -Romans 3:23
We must see ourselves for what we are: sinners. Yes, its true, we have all sinned. And sin has dire consequences; For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a). Not just physical death, but what the Bible calls the second death, in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Rev 21:8b), an eternity in hell seperated forever from God.
How can we avoid this terrible place?
We must repent of our sins.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, (Acts 3:19a). Repentance is not simply making a promise to do better and it is not just a conviction of sin. Repentance is a change of the mind and the heart, which results in a changed life, a newness of life. You must turn from it toward God, and seek Gods complete forgiveness as the gift that it is.
Believe in Jesus Christ
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. -John 3:16
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31)
Confess Christ as our Savior
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(not might or maybe) be saved."-Romans 10:9
-Now look closely at this next scripture-
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now (not one day, but now) justified by his blood, we shall (not "maybe", but shall) be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall (not "might" but shall) be saved by his life." -Romans 5:8-10
How do I get this "Reconciliation"?
Believe in the completed redemptive work of Christ on the cross. You must believe that Christ, being God, had no sin, but took your place and paid your whole sin debt with His life. He died on the cross and rose from the dead three days later showing the righteous justification that you and I can now have in Him.
If you have made a decision to accept Christ as your Savior we rejoice just as the angels in heaven do.
Now, "what's next" you may be asking? Why not call, email or come by the church to share your decision and learn more about what God wants you to know.