Heaven's Ticket

August 17, 2009

~Denise Grant

 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

 

     The following is an encounter between a Children's Bible School Teacher and her Kindergarten Class!  After teaching the children about Salvation, the Teacher asked her Sunday School Class:

"If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the Church, would that get me into Heaven?"

"NO!" the children all answered.

"If I cleaned the Church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get me into Heaven?"

Again, the answer was, "NO!"

"Well, then, if I was kind to animals, gave candy to all the children, and loved my husband, would that get me into Heaven?" The Teacher asked them again.

Again, they all answered, "NO!"

"Well," The Teacher replied, "then how can I get into Heaven?"

 A five-year-old boy shouted out, "YOU GOTTA BE DEAD!"

 

     So - - - Just what are the qualifications to enter Heaven?  

 

     You must be born again. “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

 

     All who welcome Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives are reborn spiritually - receiving new life from God. Through faith in Christ, this new birth changes you from the inside out – rearranging your attitudes, desires and motives. When you were born, you became physically alive and placed in your parents’ family. But when you accept Christ, you are reborn having become spiritually alive and placed eternally –in God’s family.

 

     Too many people think if they are just “good” enough, talk religious or act righteous, and maybe go to church every Sunday - that they will be rewarded with eternal life. None of that alone or combined – can offer us eternal life – not without faith – not just a belief - in Christ.

 

     “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14.  This does not mean it’s difficult to become a Christian. It means there are many ways in which to live your life, but only one way to life eternally with God. Believing in Jesus is the only way to heaven, because He alone died for our sins and made us right, before God. Living His way may not always be easy – but it’s the only true and right way to eternal life in heaven with Christ.

 

     Few people deliberately design an inferior foundation upon which to build their lives – they just don’t think about their life’s purpose. Many of those people are headed for destruction and damnation – not out of their stubbornness - but out of their thoughtlessness.

 

     Part of the responsibility of all believers is to help others stop and think about where their lives are headed and to point out the consequences if they choose to ignore Christ’s message.

 

     “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” Luke 12:31 Making heaven your primary concern means making Jesus the Lord and King of your life. He must control every area – your relationships, your work, your plans and your play. Is heaven only one of your concerns – or is it central to all you do? Are you holding back any areas of your life from God’s control? As your Lord and Creator, He is interested in everything you are – everything you do – and everywhere you go.

 

     Jesus says those who believe in Him and nurture an intimate relationship with Him will have eternal life. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” John 3:36 

 

     Do you sense God’s call on your life? Do you find yourself making excuses to avoid Him? Please don’t tarry. The time will come when God will stop inviting, and it will then be too late. Don’t delay. Accept Him today.

 

     There is only one way to heaven and that’s through God’s Son, Jesus Christ.  Pray this prayer to accept Christ into your life today. Then share the news of your rebirth with someone today.

 

Dear  God,

 

     I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I am sorry for my sins and am willing to turn away from my life of sin and follow You. I need Your forgiveness now.  I believe that Your precious Son, Jesus, shed His blood on the cross and died for my sins. Come into my life right now and cleanse me from my sins.  I confess You as the Lord of my life and accept You as my personal Savior. Thank You for saving me. Now being a work in me and transform my life so that I may be like You. Thank You for giving me eternal life in heaven with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands.

 

"If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." ~Ronald Reagan

 

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14