| Key Question:
In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes for a person
to go to heaven? Possible answers: Faith, works, unclear, no opinion, I don't believe in heaven. I would like to share with you how the Bible answers this question, if it is all right. There is a word that can be used to answer this question: FAITH. F is FORGIVENESS. We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God's forgiveness. "In Him (meaning Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" -Ephesians 1:7a, NKJV A is for AVAILABLE. Forgiveness is available. It is... Available to all "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" - John 3:16 NKJV. But not automatic "Not everyone who says to Me , 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven" - Matthew 7:21a, NKJV. I is for IMPOSSIBLE It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven.
T is for TURN Question: If you were driving down the road and someone asked you to turn, what would he or she be asking you to do? (change direction) Turn means repent. Turn from something-sin and self But unless you repent you will all likewise perish" - Luke 13:3b. NKJV. Turn to someone; trust Christ only "Christ died for our sins accordingly to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" - 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4. NKJV. "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" Romans 10:9, NKJV. H is for HEAVEN Here and Now "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" John 10:10b NKJV. HEREAFTER "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" John 14:3, NKJV. HOW How can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? You can have all of this through FAITH. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast" Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV. The Following explains how you can recieve Christ: You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer (prayer is talking with God). God knows your heart and is not concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer. Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take controld of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, I invite you to pray this prayer right now, and Christ will come into your life, as he promised. Note: This tool is adapted from the Faith Sunday School Evangelism program published by Lifeway Chistian resources and The Four Spiritual Laws written by Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ. |