There have been times when in a conversation with someone about whether they have a relationship with the Lord, I’ve been told “My parents are good Catholics, good Baptist’s, or I acknowledge Him.” All of these answers have left me with sadness.
They have the mistaken notion that they will be given access to heaven when they die by the good merits of their parents, or that they have at least acknowledged that God exists, and this gives them access to heaven, without ever really wanting anything to do with Him. What does the scriptures tell us about these statements:
In Isaiah our own righteousness is described as filthy rags;
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
In another verse Paul shows us that there is no one without sin,
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
My parents, as much as I loved them, were sinners, as I am. They needed a Savior, and they had to make the decision to either receive or reject Christ for themselves. Every person has to make this decision individually, we are not able to receive eternal life through anyone’s merits. All our good deeds mean nothing to God. We cannot earn our way to heaven. Simply acknowledging God exists will not get us entry into heaven either; scripture tells us the devils believe in God, and tremble.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
If I had a son, and he did all he could to avoid me, never spoke to me, or wanted any kind of relationship with me, it would clearly show me that he has no love for me. This is what God sees in the vast majority of the people he created. Not only indifference, but outright rejection of Him. One day, when this life is over, we will stand before him and give an account for our lives. He won’t be asking us about our families faith, or our good deeds. He will ask us what we did with His Son, Jesus. If you are ashamed of Him now, the day will come when you will stand before Him, and acknowledge Him for who He is, God. At that time, we will bow, either in reverence or submission. God will not be asking us to bow, we will be told to do so.
The way for us to enter eternal life in heaven, is turning to Jesus Christ, believing that He is the only begotten Son of God, and turning to Him in humble repentance, and opening our heart to Him. Asking His forgiveness, turning from our sins, and receiving Him as Savior and Lord of our lives.
Jesus makes it clear to us in John 14: 6, that He is the way; the Only way to heaven.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The day I surrendered to the Lord in my house in 1978, it was the most important decision I’ve ever made. It has given me a solid peace in my heart and life, that no matter what may happen in my circumstances, my future is secure. I know where I’m going, and that after this life, heaven awaits me. No one can take that from me, and it gives purpose to all anyone may face here.
If not, on that day, your opportunity will be gone; and hell awaits you. God sends no one to hell, each individual makes that decision in this life themselves. I pray anyone who reads this, and does not know Christ as Savior, will make the decision now, in this life, while they have the time to do it willingly. I hope to see you in heaven.
They have the mistaken notion that they will be given access to heaven when they die by the good merits of their parents, or that they have at least acknowledged that God exists, and this gives them access to heaven, without ever really wanting anything to do with Him. What does the scriptures tell us about these statements:
In Isaiah our own righteousness is described as filthy rags;
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
In another verse Paul shows us that there is no one without sin,
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
My parents, as much as I loved them, were sinners, as I am. They needed a Savior, and they had to make the decision to either receive or reject Christ for themselves. Every person has to make this decision individually, we are not able to receive eternal life through anyone’s merits. All our good deeds mean nothing to God. We cannot earn our way to heaven. Simply acknowledging God exists will not get us entry into heaven either; scripture tells us the devils believe in God, and tremble.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
If I had a son, and he did all he could to avoid me, never spoke to me, or wanted any kind of relationship with me, it would clearly show me that he has no love for me. This is what God sees in the vast majority of the people he created. Not only indifference, but outright rejection of Him. One day, when this life is over, we will stand before him and give an account for our lives. He won’t be asking us about our families faith, or our good deeds. He will ask us what we did with His Son, Jesus. If you are ashamed of Him now, the day will come when you will stand before Him, and acknowledge Him for who He is, God. At that time, we will bow, either in reverence or submission. God will not be asking us to bow, we will be told to do so.
The way for us to enter eternal life in heaven, is turning to Jesus Christ, believing that He is the only begotten Son of God, and turning to Him in humble repentance, and opening our heart to Him. Asking His forgiveness, turning from our sins, and receiving Him as Savior and Lord of our lives.
Jesus makes it clear to us in John 14: 6, that He is the way; the Only way to heaven.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The day I surrendered to the Lord in my house in 1978, it was the most important decision I’ve ever made. It has given me a solid peace in my heart and life, that no matter what may happen in my circumstances, my future is secure. I know where I’m going, and that after this life, heaven awaits me. No one can take that from me, and it gives purpose to all anyone may face here.
If not, on that day, your opportunity will be gone; and hell awaits you. God sends no one to hell, each individual makes that decision in this life themselves. I pray anyone who reads this, and does not know Christ as Savior, will make the decision now, in this life, while they have the time to do it willingly. I hope to see you in heaven.
