Originally Published May 2020
“…For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that.” (2 timothy1:12)
The Lord calls out to all those on the earth today and offers us a secure future with Him in eternity. We have only this life to make things right with Him. He speaks to us through creation, through our conscience, and most of all through His Word, the Bible. Because we have a fallen nature and are in need of a savior, our pride becomes a major obstacle for us in receiving from the Lord. It’s hard for us to come to the realization that we cannot do it ourselves, that we are helpless and unable to bring about our own salvation.
Some feel that we can earn our way to Heaven. If the good in our lives outweighs the bad, then we will make it. This approach to salvation has sent many that have adhered to it to Hell. When you think about it, it really doesn’t make much sense. If we could do it ourselves, then why did Jesus have to come and die on a cruel cross? The pride of man certainly plays into this false hope for salvation.
Many relegate the things of the Lord to a secondary place in their lives. Our lives in this world are important and do deserve our full attention, but in light of eternity, they pale by comparison. What we believe regarding our eternal future is the most important thing in our lives. Ignoring, or not giving it the attention we should will not change the outcome. We need to make things right with the Lord. We have but one lifetime to accomplish this. The Lord has provided the only way to make things right with Him and it is not burdensome.
Some believe that attending church and doing good works will take care of the future. They feel good doing these things and think the Lord will look kindly on them for their efforts. Of course, it’s always good to help others and the Lord certainly wants us to attend church, however, doing these things will not get you into Heaven.
There are two questions that pretty much identify what a person is believing regarding their final destination. They are as follows:
- If you were to die today, do you believe you would go to Heaven?
- If you were to stand before God, the Father, and He were to ask you why He should let you into Heaven; How would you answer?
Believing you are on your way to Heaven is good, of course, but the answer to the second question, the reason that God should let you in, will determine where you spend eternity, Heaven or Hell! There is only one correct answer to that question and it can be found in the following verse:
“That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” (Roman’s 10:9)
So, it’s not about your good outweighing the bad in your life, or the good you do for others, it’s about placing our faith in the One that loved us and died for us. Jesus paid the price for our admittance into Heaven. Believing that His death on the cross paid the price for our sins and opened up Heaven for all those that believe it, is the only way to an eternity with the Lord. It’s by faith from first to last.
“For therein (by way of the cross) is the righteousness of God (right with God) revealed from faith to faith (God gives- man receives): as it is written, the just shall live by faith (in His sacrifice on the cross).”
Yes, I know whom I have believed and I am confident that by placing my faith in Jesus and His great work on the cross, He will keep me against that day. On that day, I will gain Heaven by the righteousness that comes by faith and will be with the Lord forever.
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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2020
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