How Do We Get To Heaven?

 

Someone asked me, "How do I get to heaven?" 

Could you answer that question?" What if someone told you they were a  good person, believed in God, prayed consistently, went to church on a fairly regular basis, held high moral standards, and always committed to ethical behavior, would you agree these are all good things? They are. Would you say a person like that deserves heaven? Actually, the answer is no. NONE of those things can "earn" God's unearned favor--not even a belief in God Himself! That's right. Satan knows and believes there is a one true God, but is he in heaven?? 

The pathway to enter heaven doesn't work on a point system, though many people think that and are gambling on it!

Here's a question. Are any of those things I listed above actually what Jesus said we need to do to attain heaven after our physical death? That is .. Be good? Go to church? Strive to do your best? 

I'll let Him answer Himself.

In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I AM the way, the truth, and the Life. NO ONE comes to the Father except THROUGH ME" (emphasis mine). Notice what Jesus DID NOT say? 

He didn't say..

•  I'm one of many ways to reach heaven.
• Keep being a good person. Your efforts will earn a place here..
•  If your good works outweigh your bad ones I'll let you in..
• Saying you believe in me wins every time.

Those statements are far from what Jesus really said: I AM THE WAY! Period. Simple. There's nothing else attached. No effort, no climbing, no ascending, no reincarnation or coming back. Jesus-one way-complete. He is the door. John 10:1 Jesus tells us plainly, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber." To iterate and reinforce further John 10:9 reads Jesus speaking again, "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved."

Think about His words. If we depend on our own efforts to save us-- being good, sincere, dedicated, honest-- every single one of us will fall short. EVERYONE. EVERYTIME. We can't work to gain, ascend to it, depend on philosophical guides as an example who teach reincarnation (actually believing that karma may send your consciousness back into a cow and there you'll live the life of a cow ). Continuing,  no god or goddess made of stone, wood, clay, brass, silver or gold, no man-made religion centered around self-awareness or one that requires your blood, and certainly not our own ethical conduct will earn a place in heaven. That's exactly why Jesus came to earth! Because we do fall short and cannot be in the presence of a holy God as we are no matter how WE try. Even with our best efforts some ignorantly think it can be traded for righteousness, but any effort is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Paul wrote in Ephesians 2: 8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not you're own doing. It is a gift from God, not a result of your own works so that none may boast."  "No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). BY GRACE you are saved. It is a gift.

We are saved because JESUS DID WHAT "NEVER" COULD. 

He lived a perfect, sinless life in our stead knowing we could never earn it or ascend to it through behavior. He willingly went to the cross, THOUGH INNOCENT, allowing His crucifixion to pay the consequences for our sins. He rose again in power and overcame death for all of us wiping our slate clean if ..

1. We will believe it

2. Are remorseful for our sins as we should be

3. Repent then begin turning from our sin and vice

4. Trusting in Him alone through blind faith to carry us and help us remain faithful, knowing HIS SACRIFICE was sufficient for us. That's the gospel. 

Mind you, those that commit their hearts to Jesus as THE WAY aren't perfect. We stumble. We sometimes mess up. But true commitment does make you regret you slipped up. Faltering becomes bothersome when you're a Christian. When you are of the world no sin bothers, you embrace it. BUT IF a  Christian slips by committing a sin (and they do occasionally) they will feel horrible, they will almost immediately say they're  sorry and keep going relying on God's grace of forgiveness as He promised. Here is another mark of true Christianity: Christians do not make a habit, keep a habit, or continue to commit sin over and over using God's forgiving grace as a ticket to continue in and use it as an excuse for bad behavior. Listen to what Paul was telling fellow Christians way back during his ministry A.D. 33 to A.D. 64 .." What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:1-2) 

Any stumbling or weakness becomes less of a challenge when you follow Christ because temptations become less, obedience (His command to love)  becomes a breeze as we grow stronger day by day and stay the course.

How do you go to heaven? Don't start with what with what you've done. Start with what Jesus HAS ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED. It isn't about what you've achieved by being good, through any works you've done. It isn't by self-effort, ascension toward Nirvana, through meditation, or the practicing philosophies, etc. Salvation has never been nor will it ever be earned. We are too flawed. Salvation is received through grace in Jesus Christ.

 Until He Comes,

-Pat-