What do you think it takes for someone to get to heaven?
Is it luck? Is by working hard and doing your best? Is there no way of actually
knowing? The Bible has the real answer to this question. The answer is a matter of FAITH.
F is for FORGIVENESS. We cannot
have eternal life without God's forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7a tells us that through the death of Jesus we can have the forgiveness
of sins.
A is for AVAILABLE. Forgiveness is available
for all, for everyone. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes
in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." But forgiveness is not automatic. In Matthew 7:21 Jesus says "Not everyone
who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven."
I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for
God to allow sin into heaven because of who He is and because of who we are. God is loving and just, but His judgment is against
sin. James 2:13 says, "Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful." We are sinful
people. Romans 3:23 tells us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
T is for TURN. To turn means to repent.
We can repent -- or turn -- from our sin and from ourselves. In Luke 13:3 Jesus says, "Unless you repent, you too will all
perish." For eternal life we must turn from our sin and ourselves, from our own way of doing things - we must turn to
Someone. That Someone is Jesus. We must trust Christ and Christ alone. Romans 10:9 tells us how: "That if you confess
with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life.
Here, that means life "to the full:" In John 10:10 Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to
the full." In the hereafter, it means the promise of heaven; in John 14:3 Jesus says "And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
So how can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and
Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness. You do this through a simple
prayer reflecting your desire for Christ to change your life. You don't need fancy words--only an honest heart. You can pray
something like this:
Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways.
I believe You died for my sin, and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn from
my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases
You. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen.
Accepting Christ is just the beginning of a wonderful adventure with God!
Get to know Him better in a number of ways:
- Follow Christ's example in baptism.
- Join a church where you can worship God and grow in your faith.
- In your church, get involved in Sunday School and Bible study.
- Begin a daily personal worship experience with God where you study the Bible
and pray.
